In the final stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné yesterday Tim Wellens (Lotto-Belisol) was part of a long breakaway for the third time.

At the top of the Col de Vars, which topped out at 36,5km from the finish, Tim Wellens took off with Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale). Travis Meyer (Orica-GreenEDGE) bridged the gap and started a solo breakaway. De Marchi came back in the front of the race later on the climb. Wellens returned on the descent.

The young Wellens didn’t want to follow the high speed on the descent and dropped behind. On the final climb to Risoul – 13.9 km at 6.7% average gradient – he bridged the gap and started a solo effort. With nine kilometres to go the peloton was 2’30” behind. At 4.5 kilometres from the finish De Marchi caught up with Wellens and went ahead on his own. Although the group of favourites was coming closer, De Marchi would make it and claim the stage win. Wellens was reeled in in the final kilometres by some GC-riders and finished 13th. Chris Froome (Sky) was second on the day and won overall.

“I was the first to attack today immediately after the start and then a front group of 24 was formed,” Wellens explained. “The group was big, but still there was a very good cooperation. Meyer was remarkably faster on the Col de Vars and I had to let him go. On the descent I could come back. We were leading with five and the others were descending very fast and took risks. I didn’t want to do that and lost a few metres. When I returned to the front on the final climb, I noticed the others were watching each other and decided to keep up my own tempo and was solo ahead.”

“For a moment I believed I would win, but then the chasers were coming closer. This Dauphiné was much better than expected, I’m very pleased. My next race is the Belgian national championship in La Roche, it’s a course that suits me and where I’m able to set a good result.”