Cycling: Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) won the Ruta del Sol. The Belgian was also in good shape in the final time trial and effortlessly defended his lead. The stage win went to David De la Cruz (Sky).
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Time trial on gravel
The 14,2 km individual time trial in Barbate should force the decision at the Ruta del Sol today. After his victory on yesterday fourth stage rolled Tim Wellens as the last starter from the ramp. The Belgian also had to master a five-kilometre section on gravel during his journey. Therefore, there was already talk of one in advance Strade Bianche Time Trial or "Dakar in Andalusia".
Froome with a poor performance
When it was slowly getting into the decisive phase, sat David of the Cross (Sky) a first serious reference time. The Spaniard's clock stopped after 17:11 minutes. The one that started after him Chris Froome (Sky) could not reach this benchmark. The Brit was a whopping 27 seconds slower than his teammate. Numerous other professionals also bit their teeth off him.
#64RdS Estos son los cinco kilometers de tierra que deberan afrontar los corredores en la crono de hoy. A punto de tomar la salida @nelsonsotom pic.twitter.com/bRvCj9WWrJ
— Caja Rural-RGA Team (@CajaRural_RGA) 18. February 2018
Wellens can no longer burn anything
In the meantime it was already clear that Tim Wellens the overall victory at the Ruta del Sol will no longer be up for grabs. There he was only four seconds behind the best time and was thus clearly faster than the direct competition. The Belgian lost a few seconds before the finish line, but nobody could push him off the throne. In the end became Tim Wellens Ninth and lost just three seconds Wout poels (Sky). At the victory of David De La Cruz the novel Andrew Amador (Movistar) second and six seconds back Stephen Clement (LottoNL-Jumbo) third, seven seconds back. The Spaniard also presented himself strongly Marc Soler (Movistar). Our 5towatch-Candidate finished fifth, nine seconds behind.
Top ten de la chrono. #64RdS pic.twitter.com/UYMZ83XNOn
— Alpe d'Huez B&T (@Alpe__dHuez) 18. February 2018
#64RdS La general final, con @solermarc93 encaramándose al podio por solo 3″ ante Fuglsang y Sánchez (AST). Su tercer cajón en una ronda por etapas en 'pros', tras el 2º en Route du Sud 2016 y el 3º en Catalunya 2017.
El good desempeño de @Andrey_Amador Today it's 9º in the CG. pic.twitter.com/hTAqldv2rH
- Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) 18. February 2018