Tim Wellens overpowers rivals to win opening stage of Ruta del Sol 2019

The overall winner in 2018 made a strong statement to start his title defence

Tim Wellens wins stage one of the 2019 Ruta del Sol (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tim Wellens opened his Ruta del Sol title defence with an emphatic victory on the opening stage.

The Lotto-Soudal rider attacked on the brutal cobbled slopes of the final climb and was too powerful for his nearest rivals, Jakob Fuglsang and Ion Izagirre (Astana).

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