Pulheimer Gerald Ciolek (MTN-Qhubeka) won the third stage of the Ruta del Sol in a hard-fought sprint and thus the winning streak of Spaniard Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), who won both the prologue and the first two stages, completed. Second was Belgian Roy Jans (Wanty-Groupe Goubert) ahead of Moreno Hofland (Belkin). Nikias Arndt (SGiant-Shimano) was the second-best German in fourth place.
“I’m very happy about this victory. The whole team did a fantastic job, especially Andreas Stauff ,” Ciolek said happily at the finish line. It was the first victory on European soil this year for Team MTN-Qhubeka.
Result
1. Gerald Ciolek (MTN-Qhubeka) 4:17:39
2. Roy Jans (Wanty Groupe Gobert) 0:00:00
3. Moreno Hofland (Belkin) 0:00:00
4. Nikias Arndt (Giant Shimano) 0:00:00
5. Tom Van Asbroeck (Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise) 0:00:00
Total
1. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) 14:37:51
2. Richie Porte (Sky) 0:00:20
3. Luis Leon Sanchez (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) 0:00:22
4. Jon Izagirre (Movistar) 0:00:33
5. Tanel Kangert (Astana) 0:00:43