Sam Bennett (open in new tab) (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) was a lonely second in the headwind sprint to Sisteron on stage 3 of the Tour de France.

The Irish champion, who lost his rhythm on the first stage when he let another rider ride lead-out man, rode stronger for the win on Monday, but was overtaken at the finish by Lotto-Soudal's Caleb Yuan (open in new tab).

A strong headwind on the straight before the finish meant that attacking the lead too early was dangerous. Seven-time green jersey winner Peter Sagan (open in new tab) (Bora-Hansgrohe) certainly made that mistake, and Bennett waited a little longer to take a clear lead, but was eventually overtaken by Ewan, who had successfully waded through his sprint rivals from further back.

"People were always trying to get to my wheel and I couldn't get ahead of them.

"It was a headwind, so it was easy for someone to come off the wheel.

Asked if he could or should have done anything differently, he replied: "No. I just got lucky. I think I just got lucky."

After a disappointing sprint win on day one, Bennett was hoping for a dream two days for Dečuninck-Quick Step (opens in new tab), whose second stage winner, Julien Alaphilippe, has taken the yellow jersey. The Belgian team controlled the peloton from start to finish before Team Sunweb and Beulah Hansgrohe began their sprint.

"The riders provided a great lead-out, but the headwind was really strong and someone in the back easily came off the wheel," Bennett later said on the Dečuninck-Quick Step website.

"I didn't have the best legs, but I wouldn't change anything. I think it's just a matter of luck and hopefully soon I'll have a reason to smile."

Later, Bennett congratulated Ewan on social media, writing: "Nice try, but no cigar. Congrats.

Bennett will have to wait for his next chance to win his first Tour de France stage. Stage 7 will likely end in a group sprint, but stage 10 is his next clear chance.