Another big name demonstrated his skills today as Alejandro Valverde won the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana which is the third stage of the Challenge de Mallorca. 

The 152.9 km from Deià to Monasterio de Lluc saw the team captain of Movistar defeat Columbian Sergio Henao (Sky) and Dutch rider Robert Gesink (Blanco Team).

On the Alto de Sóller ascent the first split took place in the peloton and the on the Puig Major, 14 km from the finish line, 9 men were able to break clear leaving Valverde and Costa (Movistar), Gesink and Tankink (Blanco), Henao (Sky) Vandewalle (Omega-Pharma Quick Step), Izagirre (Euskaltel), Sulzberger (Orica GreenEdge) and Kolobnev (Katusha) to decide matters between them.

As the group neared the sprint line it disintegrated further leaving Valverde to enjoy the fruits of the hard work done by his teammate, Costa, to see off the challenges of Henao and Gesink.

Top 10
1. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) 4:04:17
2. Sergio Henao (Sky) s.t.
3. Robert Gesink (Blanco) s.t.
4. Rui Costa (Movistar Team) s.t.
5. Ben Swift (Sky) at 51”
6. Przemyslaw Niemec (Lampre-Merida)
7. Bart De Clercq (Lotto-Belisol)
8. Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)
9. Pieter Weening (Orica-GreenEDGE)
10. Ian Bibby (Madison)