Fabian Cancellara wins Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana in Mallorca

Swiss time trial and classics star Fabian Cancellara solos to victory on the third day of the Challenge Mallorca

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

Fabian Cancellara on day three of the Challenge Mallorca

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.

>>> Cancellara, Kwiatkowski, Valverde: Star-studded top 10 on second day of Challenge Mallorca

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

Fabian Cancellara on day three of the Challenge Mallorca