Cycling: Maxim Van Gils won the time trial on the third stage of the Ruta del Sol. The Belgian was ten seconds faster than the Spaniard Juan Ayuso on the 4,95 kilometer long course in Alcaudete. Due to the farmers' protests in Spain, the organizers of the Tour of Andalusia have replaced the originally planned 161 kilometer long stage with the short time trial. Now it is also clear: Stages 4 and 5 will not be held.
Van Gils leads the overall standings
With an unexpected victory in the Ruta del Sol time trial Maxim Van Gils (Lotto – Dstny) are happy about his first win of the season. The Belgian was ten seconds faster on the 4,95 kilometer route in Alcaudete Juan Ayuso (UAE) from Spain and eleven seconds faster than Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain – Victorious) from Italy. The Austrian also enjoyed the very demanding time trial course Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), who was able to achieve a remarkable result of 14th place despite his not quite as strong time trial qualities.
Ruta del Sol: Farmers' protests cause chaos
The 70th Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol is not under a good star. Due to the Farmers protests The first two stages could not be held in Spain. The professionals even traveled around 40 kilometers at the start of the tour before the section was canceled because the police were withdrawn from the route. Yesterday, Thursday, it didn't even start. The organizers had actually planned a 161-kilometer stage from Arjona to Pozoblanco for yesterday. This section has now been replaced by the 4,95 kilometer time trial in Alcaudete. Of course, such a short route is much easier for the Guardia Civil to secure. Since stages 4 and 5 cannot be held either, the five-day tour has now become a five-kilometer individual time trial.