Tim Wellens continued his run of early season success at the Ruta del Sol, winning the final stage from the breakaway to take his third victory on Spanish roads in just eight days of racing.
The Lotto Soudal rider won two of the hilly races in the Challenge Mallorca series in late January and again used his climbing ability and tactical awareness to win the six-rider sprint in Coin near Málaga.
"At the end of last season there were four wins on my palmares, now it's only mid-February, and I've already taken three victories. I'd never have expected that a few weeks ago," Wellens explained with modesty, despite having twice won the Eneco Tour and the 2015 Gran Prix Cycliste de Montreal and the Tour de Pologne in 2016.
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In truth, Wellens could have taken his fourth win in Coin but for a late crash on stage 2 that ended his chances and led to the break of the day bring caught. Wellens had switched to attack mode after failing to make the decisive selection that formed on stage 1 as Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) went on the attack.
"I first wanted to go for the GC but the first stage wasn't super good for me, I lost several minutes. So I went for stages and I got one. I'm satisfied with that. I was close to victory the other day, but I didn't make it after crashing at a roundabout. But I did it on the final stage."
He also revealed he had some local knowledge and so extra motivation.
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