Wout Poels has won the Ruta del Sol. On the final climb of the fifth and final stage, Astana riders made frantic attempts to drive the Dutchman from Bahrain-Victorious out of the leader’s jersey, but without success. Poels finished in the group with favorites and is the overall winner.
The 34-year-old rider conquered the leader’s jersey in the Spanish stage race yesterday. Colombian Miguel Ángel López only had to make up for 10 seconds, but Poels held on and even took a few more seconds on López, who saw Spaniard Cristián Rodríguez pass in the general classification.
The last stage became a prey for Lennard Kämna. The German from Bora-hansgrohe was the strongest of a group of early refugees after a stage spanning more than 146 kilometers from Huesa to Chiclana de Segura. Kämna defeated the Italians Lorenzo Fortunato (EOLO-Kometa) and Alessandro Covi (UAE Team Emirates).
Poels had barely received a new offer from his Bahrain team last winter. This immediately paid off in the race, which is also called the Tour of Andalusia. Poels recorded his twentieth victory on Saturday, his first since stage win in 2019 in the Critérium du Dauphiné and his first also in the service of Bahrain. A day later, he was crowned with the overall victory, his second ever after winning the classification in the Tour of Valencia in 2016.
,,I am very happy with my second overall victory in a stage race and with the way my team has helped me,’ said Poels. In particular, the Australian Jack Haig, previously seen as the leader, did a lot of work for the Limburger, who feels at home in Spain. ,,I like driving here and I love this race. Of course my goal is to win as many races as possible, at least I already have this one.”
Groenewegen in UAE Tour
The first stage in the UAE Tour has become a prey for Jasper Philipsen. The Belgian from Alpecin-Fenix was the fastest in the bunch sprint. Dylan Groenewegen made a hand gesture in full sprint because he felt that he was being held back by Philipsen.
The Dutchman from Team BikeExchange-Jayco finished fourth. Irishman Sam Bennett (Bora-hansgrohe) was second, Italian Eli Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers) third.
Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma) crossed the finish line in eighth after 184 kilometers in Madinat Zayed. The 23-year-old Philipsen is also the first leader in the WorldTour stage race. The UAE Tour has seven stages and ends on Saturday.
Philipsen opened his season with a win. ,,While I had no faith in it at all this morning. It’s my first race and you have no idea how your form is compared to your competitors,” said the Belgian, who won two stages in the Tour of Spain last fall. ,,It’s nice to win right away. The pressure is slightly off. Especially when you see what a top field there is in terms of sprinters. As a team we can certainly be proud of this victory. My teammates did a great job.”
Tomorrow the second stage will be driven, over 176 kilometers between Hudayriyat Island and Abu Dhabi Breakwater. This stage is also completely flat and perhaps a new opportunity for the sprinters.
Quintana wins Tour du Var
Nairo Quintana has won the Tour du Var. The Colombian from Arkéa-Samsic, earlier this month already overall winner of the Tour de Provence, broke away from the competition in the third and final stage and soloed to the day and overall victory.
Yesterday Tim Wellens narrowly won the second stage ahead of Quintana, in the final stage the Lotto-Soudal Belgian was unable to follow his competitor.
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