Ruta del Sol 2023: Wellens wins in Alcalá de los Gazules, Pogacar still leader

image: Cor VosTim Wellens wins the 3rd stage of the Ruta del Sol from the breakaway. The Flemish rider attacks inside the last 1.5 kilometres and triumphs ahead of Pierre Latour and Samuele Bastistella. Tadej Pogacar stays in the overall race lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage 2023 Ruta del Sol

1. Tim Wellens (bel)
2. Pierre Latour (fra) + 0.14
3. Samuele Bastistella (ita) + 0.15
4. Connor Swift (gbr) s.t.
5. Laurenz Rex (bel) s.t.
6. Davide Bais (ita) + 0.18
7. Edoardo Zambanini (ita) s.t.
8. Cyril Barthe (fra) + 0.26
9. Erik Fetter (hun) + 0.28
10. Gorka Izagirre (spa) s.t.

GC after stage 3
1. Tadej Pogacar (slo)
2. Santiago Buitrago (col) + 0.48
3. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.52
4. Carlos Rodriguez (spa) s.t.
5. Enric Mas (spa) + 1.47
6. Tao Geoghegan Hart (gbr) + 2.12
7. José Manuel Díaz (spa) + 2.19
8. Gorka Izagirre (spa) + 2.21
9. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 2.22
10. Tim Wellens (bel) + 2.26

Race report
After 10 kilometers with a lot of movement a group of 22 riders goes clear. They open a maximum gap of 5 minutes. Most notable names at the front are Tim Wellens, Pierre Latour, Hugo Houle, Dries De Bondt, Samuele Battistella, Laurenz Rex, Erik Fetter, Hugo Houle and José Manuel Día. Tim Wellens won twice in finishing venue Alcalá de los Gazules. Bad luck for the Belgian, or so it seems, as the organisation decides to move the finish line during the race due to risk of winds up to 75km/h on the original finish climb.

Laurenz Rex escapes inside the last 10 kilometres, while Dries de Bondt chases him down. Tim Wellens closes down the gap with the other attackers in his wheel. Then Erik Fetter, Hugo Houle and José Manuel Díaz give it ago, while Samuele Batistella rejoins the three.

It comes together again before Wellens heads out alone on a cobbled climb to the flamme rouge. He powers on with such force that he wins the race 14 seconds ahead of runner-up Latour. It’s his first win for his new team UAE Emirates and the third of his team in three days Ruta del Sol.

Another interesting read: route 3rd stage 2023 Ruta del Sol.