For Tim Wellens the Tour of Guangxi was a late season target and opportunity for his first stage race win of the year. While the majority of the WorldTour peloton was enjoying the off-season, Wellens was on form in China and with support from his Lotto Soudal teammates, he secured his seventh victory of 2017.
The foundations for Wellens' overall win were laid on stage 4, winning at the Nongla finish ahead of Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) and Nicolas Roche (BMC Racing). Wellens increased his lead by two seconds the following day, with Lotto Soudal then controlling any attacks from his GC rivals to ensure overall success.
With two wins in 2014, three in 2015, and four in 2016, the victory also ensured that Wellens' upward trajectory continued for a fourth season.
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"I am very happy with my season. I have seven wins with a lot of WorldTour success also," Wellens said.
“Every year I am growing. Every year I set the bar a little higher to perform so at the moment, with five victories I was not really happy with the season. But, like I said, every year must be better and now I win this nice tour and I am very happy with 2017.”
The Tour of Guangxi victory confirms Wellens as a successful one-week WorldTour stage racer, with previous overall wins at the Eneco Tour and Tour de Pologne. The 26-year-old also has top-10 results at the Tour of Beijing, Paris-Nice, and Eneco Tour. Wellens' palmarès also includes a GP de Montréal victory and a stage of the Giro d'Italia, highlighting his versatility.
No GC focus at the Grand Tours
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