MADRID (WAM)
Marc Soler of UAE Team Emirates edged closer to an elusive stage win for the Catalan at the Vuelta España, taking 3rd place from the day-long escape behind stage winner Pablo Castrillo (Kern Pharma).
Soler jumped from kilometre zero and formed a strong group of nine riders which would build a lead of almost 10 minutes to the peloton on the relatively short stage from Ourense to the Estación de montaña de Manzaneda (137km). Soler hit out again as the group approached the base of the final climb with -13km but would be undone by Castrillo and Max Poole (DSM Firmenich) who took 2nd.
Meanwhile in Belgium, Tim Wellens put in a solid time against the clock in the ITT at the Renewi Tour which resumed in Tessenderlo (15.4km), finishing in 5th spot with a time of 17’15”, some 16” shy of stage winner and new race leader Alex Segaert (Lotto-Dstny).