Ruta del Sol 2025: Van Gils wins three-up sprint to take GC lead

foto: Cor VosMaxim Van Gils beats Tim Wellens and Pavel Sivakov in the finale of the opening stage of the Ruta del Sol. The defending champion takes the first leader’s jersey straight away. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage 2025 Ruta del Sol

1. Maxim Van Gils (bel)
2. Tim Wellens (bel) s.t.
3. Pavel Sivakov (fra) + 0.07
4. Marc Soler (spa) + 0.30
5. Clément Berthet (fra) s.t.
6. Andreas Leknessund (nor) + 0.33
7. Steff Cras (bel) + 0.39
8. Tom Pidcock (gbr) s.t.
9. Igor Arrieta (spa) + 1.38
10. Thomas Gachignard (fra) + 1.40

GC ater stage 1
1. Maxim Van Gils (bel)
2. Tim Wellens (bel) s.t.
3. Pavel Sivakov (fra) + 0.07
4. Marc Soler (spa) + 0.30
5. Clément Berthet (fra) s.t.
6. Andreas Leknessund (nor) + 0.33
7. Steff Cras (bel) + 0.39
8. Tom Pidcock (gbr) s.t.
9. Igor Arrieta (spa) + 1.38
10. Thomas Gachignard (fra) + 1.40

Race report
Đurić Đorđe, Samudio Carlos, Biagini Federico, Conforti Lorenzo, and Tarozzi Manuele are the first attackers. The peloton is happy to let them go and gives them 2 minutes.

Andreas Leknessund, Víctor de la Parte, Alan Jousseaume, Guillermo Thomas Silva, Unai Iribar, Siebe Deweirdt, Ander Okamika, and Leander Van Hautegem are the the breakaway riders. The eight open up a gap of 4 minutes.

On the Alto de Canillas, only Silva and Leknessund remain at the front, while Pavel Sivakov joins the chase group.

Leknessund continues on his own, and Sivakov joins Silva. In the descent towards Torrox, Tom Pidcock attacks from the peloton. Maxim Van Gils joins him before dropping him on the steep sections towards Frigiliana. He joins Sivakov.

The gaps are now small, and shortly after, Tim Wellens rejoins the two chasers. They overhaul Leknessund as the climb flattens out.

When Van Gils misses a corner, he has to chase, but he regains contact before the descent to Nerja. Marc Soler, Clément Berthet, Tom Pidcock, Steff Cras, and Andreas Leknessund are not far behind.

In the final stretch, the gap grows, leaving the three leaders to fight for the win. Despite going up against two UAE Emirates riders, Van Gils proves to be the strongest in the sprint.

Another interesting read: route 1st stage 2025 Ruta del Sol.