After a strong team performance of Lotto Soudal on the third day of the Challenge Mallorca, Tim Wellens took second place behind Alejandro Valverde. Louis Vervaeke and Bart De Clercq joined a breakaway and neo-pro Tiesj Benoot finished 8th.

"Before the stage it was my intention to attack on the Puig Major and ride a strong descent. But Valverde was too far away as the only rider who survived from a break of 26," Wellens said. "Our team was indeed strong, with Louis and Bart in the break, Dennis [Vanendert] and Stig [Broeckx} who led me into the final perfectly and Tiesj who was eighth. To be in front that early in the season feels great. Some might find it too soon, but it's a confirmation of the work I did during the past months."