Fernando Gaviria (Quick Step Floors) wrapped up the points classification in style at the Tour of Guangxi by winning his fourth stage. For the 23-year-old Colombian, it was the 14th success of the year, which saw him join teammate Marcel Kittel at the top of the 2017 win list.
Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal) won the overall classification with a lead of six seconds over Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) and eleven seconds over Nicolas Roche (BMC Racing).
Gaviria relied once again on an outstanding Quick-Step Floors team, which kept the three breakaway riders – Wang Meiyin, Jon Irisarri and Daniel Oss – on a leash.
Rémi Cavagna, Davide Martinelli, Pieter Serry and Martin Velits (who was making the final outing of his pro career) worked to ensure the three were hauled back in before Max Richeze catapulted him on the long straight to the line, where the blue jersey wearer comfortably beat Niccolo Bonifazio (Bahrain-Merida) and Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo).
“There couldn’t have been a better way for calling it a season,” said Gaviria, the only rider to take four wins in two different World Tour stage races this season, the Giro d’Italia and the Tour of Guangxi.
“I’m happy to take the win on the last stage of this race and finish off the excellent job of my teammates, who made sure I got the maximum out of this race. It’s been a long and rewarding season, one during which I’ve gone from strength to strength, continued to develop and learn, and all these things make me even more motivated for 2018. But before that and resuming training, I’ll go home, enjoy some rest and spend time with my family.”
