For 20 minutes or so on Thursday, it appeared as though Sam Bennett had won his second stage of this year's Vuelta a Espana.
The Irish rider crossed the line in first place at the conclusion of the 157km ninth stage between Castrillo del Val and Aguilar de Campoo.
However, the 30-year-old was soon relegated for what was called 'irregular sprinting'. Instead, the German Pascal Ackermann was named stage winner.
After a complaint from another team - whose rider tried to barge into @Sammmy_Be’s train, who defended his position - Sam has been relegated by the race commisaires. https://t.co/JAad3umqF0
— Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team (@qst_alphavinyl) October 29, 2020
Bennett bumped into Emils Liepins as the stage came to its conclusion.
Ackermann felt it was the correct decision.
"It wasn’t a fair action from him," said Ackermann.
"I think, after all the crashes in the last week, we have to take care of the other guys,.
"I feel sorry for Sam, but now we have to ride more fair. I’m really happy about this victory and also for my team, they did an awesome job today, they did it all from the front and I’m happy to give something back to them."
Etapa 9 - Stage 9 | #LaVuelta20
🇪🇸 Vive el último kilómetro de la victoria de @Ackes171 gracias a @CarrefourES
🇬🇧 Live the last km. of Pascal Ackermann's victory thanks to @CarrefourES#CarrefourConLaVuelta pic.twitter.com/lJDcypWmZI— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) October 29, 2020
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