Cycling Tim Wellens remains the boss in the Ruta del Sol. Our compatriot won after one of the favourites now is also the time trial in the Spanish wielerronde. Wellens builds his lead in the standings on his closest competitors Izagirre and Fuglsang. The two Astana riders had a few seconds lost on our compatriot. It is the first tijdritzege from Wellens’ cycling career.
The Ruta del Sol and Tim Wellens, it remains a successful marriage. Our compatriot at Lotto-Soudal reed since his victory in the opening stage in the black-and-yellow jersey and if so when last at the time trial start: 16,2 km from Mancha Real to La Guardia de Jaen, on hilly terrain. A good test for Wellens, the more so because he is under the guidance of ‘performance manager’ Kevin De Weert this winter extra work put into its performance against the clock.
It was the arrival immediately clear that the winner of the day among the gc riders hidden. How later the riders within dazzling; the better the times. Steven Kruijswijk seemed to be the tone, but it was again the Astana’s that the sheet to drew. Ion Izagirre took a fraction of a second better than Kruijswijk, while Fuglsang there is a five seconds of afknabbelde.
The big question was whether Wellens would keep his leader’s jersey. On the basis of the split times on the road that had to be possible. Our 27-year-old countryman had at the last waypoint is 1 second down on the besttijd. A dime on its side so to the finish, where Wellens very close to the time of Fuglsang. In fact, Wellens pitste there are 2 count down and built up his lead in the standings even more. He has now a clue of 7 seconds on Jacob Fugslang, Ion Izagirre follows at 14 units. It is Wellens’ third win of the season.
New G.C.@Tim_Wellens enlarges his advantage after his second stage win #65RdS
