Giro d'Italia: Stage 7 finish line quotes

Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) - stage winner

I feel relieved. I've been so close so many times in the Giro, to really get the timing right was key with so many fast sprinters here. It's not easy to beat [Elia] Viviani - he really knows what he's doing. My time came - at one point I thought it would never come. I want to thank the team and everybody who got me to this point.

I just had to get that wheel, and a bit of patience as well. I had to freewheel for a moment at one point because I knew it was a just bit too early. When the time was right I really took it up.

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[Did you believe you could beat Elia Viviani?] Yes. The first few stages I got the timing a bit wrong. I had the power, I saw the files, so I knew what I was capable of, but it's one thing to have the belief and another to actually do it. I think the hardest thing today was to have patience. I think Quick-Step left it too late. I saw them looking back and checking me, maybe trying to get me to panic and go early again. I kept my cool and it paid off.

Viviani was really far back in the last few kilometres, and I thought for sure it would be one line, and even if we did get back I wondered if I would have the power to go. There were a few close calls but we made it. 

It was disappointing to lose Rudiger Selig but the guys did a fantastic job today and I could see that they had big belief in me. I want to thank them all for the support, and everyone that help get me to this point in my career. (Eurosport)

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