Molano podiums in Guangxi for final sprint of the season

Sebastian Molano sprinted home for 2nd place on stage 6 of the Tour of Guangxi to bring the curtain down on the 2023 racing season for UAE Team Emirates.

‘El Rey’ Molano benefitted from some excellent teamwork in the closing kilometres with each of his teammates pulling on the front to keep the pace high for the final dash to the line in Guilin after 168km. Ivo Oliveira put in the last push on the front with 1km to go before Molano took the final sweeping bend well placed to launch.

The victory went to his rival Olav Kooij (Jumbo Visma) who narrowly surpassed Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) in the closing metres with Molano 2nd in a race decided by centimetres.

Tim Wellens finished safely in the bunch to cement his 5th place overall on GC, which was won byy Milan Vader (Jumbo Visma).

Molano: “I opened up the sprint quite early. There was a bit of a headwind and Kooij timed his move a bit better and bet me by half a wheel. The important thing is that we ended the season strong with a victory yesterday and showed ourselves well. I’d like to say thanks to the whole team for their support in the sprints this week.”

Results
1.Olav Kooij (Jumbo Visma) 3:34:50
2.Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
3.Ehan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) s.t

General Classification after stage 6
1.Milan Vader (Jumbo Visma) 21:17:17
2.Remy Rochas (Cofidis) +6”
3.Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) +11”
5.Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) +14”