Moreno Hofland (Belkin) claimed victory in the final stage of the Ruta del Sol in Fuengirola thanks to a shrewd sense of positioning and a powerful sprint finish.
Moreno Hofland (Belkin) celebrates his stage win. Photo: Ruta del Sol / www.rutadesolasol.es
Also, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) sealed his third overall win in as many years in Andalucia.
When Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Shimano), the last survivor of the day’s early break, was swept up with five kilometres to race, the stage seemed set for a mass finish, but there was still one late twist in store in southern Spain.
Shortly after Dumoulin was caught, a determined delegation from the Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise team took up the reins at the front of the peloton in a bid to set up Kenneth Van Bilsen for the sprint.
The Belgian squad led the race into its final obstacle, a roundabout with a shade under two kilometres to go, and when they came out the other side, they were at the head of a group of six riders that had detached itself from the front of peloton, including the ever-alert Hofland.
The trio of Topsport riders led under the red kite, as first Edward Theuns and then Tom Van Asbroeck surged to the front, but when they swung off with 400 metres to race, Van Bilsen was left with two faster men on his wheel.
Hofland and Nikias Arndt (Giant-Shimano) duly swarmed past Van Bilsen within sight of the line. It was soon apparent that Hofland had an extra gear, however, and the Dutchman quickly opened up an insurmountable gap to claim stage victory ahead of Arndt and the three Topsport riders.
“This is very important for me,” Hofland said afterwards. “I won the Tour of Hainan last year but this is my first victory in Europe so it means a lot.” – Cyclingnews
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