Fabian Cancellara secured his first victory of the season on Saturday, winning the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana from a solo move.
The Swiss Trek-Segafredo rider went clear from a sizeable escape group in the final 15 kilometres of the climb-filled 149.9-kilometre race, building up a lead on the descent of the Puig Major climb.
It's Cancellara's first victory in what is his final season before retirement.
Team Sky new recruit Michal Kwiatkowski placed second for the second day in a row, with rising Belgian talent Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal) in third. Both riders were part of a chase group that finished 17 seconds behind Cancellara.
Fabian Cancellara on day three of the Challenge Mallorca
(Image credit: Watson)
Britain's top-placed rider was Hugh Carthy (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), who finished in 14th place, 20 seconds adrift of Cancellara.
Great Britain rider Tao Geoghegan Hart had been part of the original escape group that contained Cancellara, and finished in 30th place.
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The final day of the four-day Challenge Mallorca takes place on Sunday: the Trofeo Palma. Although the four one-day races that make up the Challenge Mallorca are treated as separate, there is a prize on offer for the highest-placed rider on aggregate.
Results
Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana 2016 (Challenge Malloorca, day three): Soller to Deia, 149.9km
1. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Trek-Segafredo
2. Michael Kwiatkowski (Pol) Team Sky at 17 secs
3. Tiesj Benoot (Bel) Lotto-Soudal
4. Gianluca Brambilla (Ita) Etixx-QuickStep
5. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar
6. Merhawi Kudus (Eri) Dimension Data
7. Maxime Bouet (Fra) Etixx-QuickStep
8. Serge Pauwels (Bel) Dimension Data
9. Paul Voss (Ger) Bora-Argon 18
10. Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto-Soudal all same time
Fabian Cancellara on day three of the Challenge Mallorca
(Image credit: Watson)
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Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
