Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) won the 191-kilometre fourth stage of Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol (2.HC) from Sevilla to Alcalá de los Gazules in impressive style and has now taken over the race lead.
Just before entering the last steep kilometre towards the finish in Alcalá de los Gazules, escapees Andrey Amador (Movistar Team) and Sep Vanmarcke (Team EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale) were caught.
Wellens and Mikel Landa (Movistar Team) created a decisive gap together on the steep climb to the finish and in the final two hundred metres, Wellens succeeded in leaving Landa behind.
With only a time trial of 14.2 kilometres to go, the Lotto Soudal rider has seven seconds lead over Mikel Landa on GC, and eleven seconds over Wout Poels (Team Sky).
Tim Wellens: “It was a tough stage today. I realized that this finish would suit me, so I had done the necessary research. I knew the tough parts of the climb and when it was crucial to come to the front.”
“The team took me in the best possible position to the foot of the climb and then Tosh Van der Sande raised the pace. When Mikel Landa took over, I was the only one who could follow him. With 300 metres to go, I left Landa behind and won with a few seconds advantage. It had been my intention to attack on that place, because it went slightly downhill. We were riding on cobbles, but at the left and right the road was smoother, so I wanted to be at the front.”
“I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. The distance of the time trial should suit me and we ride partly on off-road sections which I like. A time trial never lies and with this shape I can certainly ride a good time trial, although there are some talented time trialists behind me.”
