George Bennett (UAE Team Emirates) finished the Tour de Ain in seventh place overall, but was left frustrated after suffering an unforeseen mechanical accident involving an ice sock.

Bennett finished alone in the second of three stage races on Thursday, 44 seconds behind the winner.

The UAE Team Emirates race report details how Bennett rode on the final climb with 24km to go.

However, it turned out that Bennett was delayed by a mechanical accident. He had been wearing ice socks, specifically thin nylon tight filled with ice cubes, under his jersey to keep cool in the 35-degree temperatures.

Once empty, the ice socks fell and got stuck in the rear derailleur, clogging the drivetrain.

After losing time, Bennett attacked and reeled in the final French stage.

He escaped from the yellow jersey group on the second of the two Col de Mentières climbs and was caught on the descent, but attacked again in the finale and escaped with Harry Sweeney to take third place behind solo winner Antonio Pedro.

Bennett was clearly in good form and was left to regret what might have been had he not been so unlucky.

"I really enjoyed this race. I felt good, but I'm a little disappointed with the result," Bennett said.

"Something got stuck in the rear derailleur on the last big climb and I couldn't make up any time today.

"Still, I enjoyed racing here with good friends who helped me a lot on every stage.

Bennett tested positive for COVID-19 before stage 10, but he quickly returned and showed his summer form. He is expected to be a key member of the UAE Team Emirates Vuelta along with Marc Soler, Joan Almeida, and Juan Ayuso.