Wellens defends Renewi Tour crown with overall victory

Tim Wellens repeated his success of 12 months ago with victory again at the Renewi Tour.

The Belgian veteran played his cards well with the help of his teammates to made a decisive move on the final cobbled climb of the Muur of Geraadsbergen.

Wellens: “Today was a very nice victory. From the start of the week we knew the TT and today with the Queen stage would be the decisive stages so we planned our tactics around that. The whole week I was feeling good so I was confident that I could deliver today. The whole team did a great job on the lead in to the final time up the Muur where I made my move. It was ideal to be up the road with De Lie so we would split the stage and the GC. I’m very proud to have won now for a fourth time.”

This is the fourth time Wellens has won the title as he prepares for his next races in Hamburg and Canada.

Meanwhile at the Vuelta Pavel Sivakov goes into the rest day in 10th spot in the GC having finished 3rd in a gruelling stage 15 battle at the Vuelta España.

The Frenchman pushed the break along on the epic climb to Cuitu Negru(143km) with ramps of 24% in the final.

He would have to settle for 3rd spot behind the in-form Pablo Castrillo (Kern Pharma) for the stage but goes into the final week in good shape and with confidence.

Sivakov: “Jay and Marc did an amazing job to build a gap and gave everything. For the move to stay away. Unfortunately there were a couple of guys who were strong enough to stay in the wheel and were able to sit-in on my wheel in the valley but that was to be expected. We showed ourselves well in the front and go into the final week full of confidence.”

Renewi Tour Final GC：
1. Wellens Tim （UAE Team Emirates）16:03:28
2. Segaert Alec （Lotto Dstny）+ 40
3. Hagenes Per Strand （Team Visma | Lease a Bike）+ 42

Vuelta a España Stage 15：

1. Castrillo Pablo （Equipo Kern Pharma） 03:45:51
2. Vlasov Aleksandr （Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe）+ 12
3. Sivakov Pavel （UAE Team Emirates）+ 31