Dimension Data went into the third and final stage of the Tour de Yorkshire with a plan for overall success, executing it to a t. Jacques Janse van Rensburg was the man to set things up over the Cote de Wigtwizzle before Serge Pauwels made the winning move.
While Pauwels was ahead of the race, riding to the stage and general classification double, teammate Omar Fraile bridged across inside the final two kilometres of the stage into Fox Valley to secure a one-two finish. Direct Energie's Jonathan Hivert was third on stage at six seconds and completed the overall podium in the same position.
For Pauwels, his first win as a professional was especially special as he explained that he had specifically requested to race in England.
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"The support today was incredible. Over the winter my team wanted me to take part in the Tour de Romandie to warm up for the Tour de France but I said no, I want to do the Tour of Yorkshire," Pauwels explained. "I can't believe I've won here. This is my first professional victory and I am a little surprised with myself because usually I prefer longer climbs. Today's stage lent itself to a really explosive rider and there were no moments of respite.
"Today's stage was comparable to Liège-Bastogne-Liège but with perhaps even more people on the roadside."
In explaining his race winning move, Pauwels was full of praise for Fraile and ability to sacrifice himself for a teammate.
"He has been a fantastic roommate to me this week and he is great guy," Pauwels said of Fraile. "Basically, he gave me the victory today which makes him a great person. I didn't know at the time how much work he was doing for me because when I got the gap my sports director, Roger Hammond, told me I was not allowed to look behind me one more time."
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