Ruta del Sol 2017: Wellens takes early break home, Valverde overall winner

At 151.5 kilometres, the last stage in the Ruta del Sol travels on a hilly route to Coín. In rainy conditions Tim Wellens is the best rider of a front group of six, while Alejandro Valverde wins the overall in the Ruta del Sol for the fifth time in his career. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 5th stage 2017 Ruta del Sol

1. Tim Wellens (bel)
2. Simon Clarke (aus) s.t.
3. Victor Campenaerts (bel) s.t.
4. Maciej Paterski (pol) s.t.
5. Domen Novak (slo) s.t.
6. Nick van der Lijke (nld) s.t.
7. Marco Minnaard (nld) + 1.34
8. Saez Héctor (spa) + 1.45
9. Ivan Garcia (spa) s.t.
10. Hugo Hofstetter (fra) s.t.

15. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
25. Alberto Contador (spa) s.t.
41. Thibaut Pinot (fra) s.t.

GC after 5th stage
1. Alejandro Valverde (spa)
2. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.01
3. Thibaut Pinot (fra) + 0.06
4. Wout Poels (nld) + 0.21
5. Diego Rosa (ita) + 0.45
6. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.48
7. Sebastien Reichenbach (swi) + 0.52
8. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 1.29
9. Ondrej Cink (cze) + 1.48
10. Javier Moreno (spa) + 1.50

Race report
Shortly after the start Tim Wellens, Victor Campenaerts, Garikoitz Bravo, Maciej Paterski, Nick van der Lijke, Simon Clarke, Marco Minnaard and Domen Novak hit it off. The eight race to a lead of more than 6 minutes over the peloton.

With around 10 kms remaining it’s clear the winner of the race is in the front group. A front group without Bravo and Minnaard by the way, who have bene dropped.

Wellens is a clever fox and he outsmarts his companions in the finale. Both Simon Clarke and Victor Campenaerts can’t stand the heat when the Belgian opens fire to sprint to victory.

Alejandro Valverde wins the overall in the Ruta del Sol for the fifth time in his career.