Ruta del Sol 2022: Sheffield wins with late attack, Covi keeps lead

foto: Cor VosA bunch sprint was the most likely outcome before the start. But that does not happen. Young Magnus Sheffield takes the spoils with a late attack. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage Ruta del Sol 2022

1. Magnus Sheffield (usa)
2. Simon Clarke (aus) + 0.03
3. Stan Dewulf (bel) s.t.
4. Ben Turner (gbr) s.t.
5. Mauri Vansevenant (bel) s.t.
6. Wout Poels (nld) s.t.
7. Alessandro Covi (ita) s.t.
8. Simon Yates (gbr) s.t.
9. Miguel Ángel López (col) s.t.
10. Dries Deveneyns (bel) s.t.

GC after stage 3
1. Alessandro Covi
2. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 0.08
3. Simon Clarke (aus) + 0.10
4. Dries Devenyns (bel) s.t.
5. Steff Crass (bel) s.t.
6. Cristián Rodríguez (spa) s.t.
7. Wout Poels (nld) + 0.16
8. Simon Yates (gbr) + 0.19
9. Emanuel Buchmann (ger) s.t.
10. Ben O’Connor (aus) s.t.

Race report
Azurmendi, Barrenetxea, Isasa and López-Cozar open up a gap at kilometre 15, which they widen to 3 minutes.

The four are reeled in with 32 kilometres and the race resumes. Yates draws out a strong group of riders, such as Landa, Vansevenant, López and Dunbar, but the attack is neutralised after 10 kilometres.

Yet, the peloton has been decimated and the expected bunch sprint is uncertain. The first group features some twenty men and the chasing group can’t close the gap.

Kämna strikes in the last kilometres and Sheffield counters. The 19-year old American pulls hard and manages to hold off the sprinting group behind him.

Covi finishes safely in the small peloton to extend his GC lead.

Another interesting read: route 3rd stage 2022 Ruta del Sol.