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Tim Wellens (UAE Crew Emirates) gained stage 3 of the Vuelta a Andalucía in Alcalá de los Gazules on a day conditioned by the extreme winds that pressured the removing of the deliberate closing climb to the end.
The Belgian was a part of a bunch of 21 riders that solid clear early on, and he tailored properly to the brand new configuration within the finale, urgent away from his companions on what would have been the penultimate climb with 1.3km remaining.
Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies) took second place forward of Samuele Battistella (Astana-Qazaqstan) and Connor Swift (Ineos).
With the quick, sharp climb of the Alto de Alcalá de los Gazules stricken from the route, race chief Tadej Pogačar (UAE Crew Emirates) appeared content material to grant the early escapees their freedom, not least as a result of Wellens was a agency favorite to land the fifth Ruta del Sol stage win of his profession.
The escapees confronted right into a stiff headwind after the day’s lone categorised climb to Medina Sidonia, which restricted assaults on the run-in, with the unlucky Cyril Barthe (Burgos-BH) blown off the street with 12km or so remaining.
Laurenz Rex (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert) and Dries De Bondt (Alpecin-Deceuninck) have been among the many repeat attackers within the finale, whereas Battistella, José Manuel Díaz (Burgos-BH) and Hugo Houle (Israel Premier Tech) thought they have been about to resolve the honours after they slipped away with 3km to go.
Wellens got here to the fore because the street reared up, nevertheless, first reeling within the break after which instantly attacking alone to assert the spoils.
Pogačar led the peloton throughout the road after one other present of drive within the finale to retain his commanding lead atop the general standings. Winner of the primary two levels, the Slovenian stays 48 seconds away from Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) and 52 forward of Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious).
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