Mallorca Challenge: Valverde solos to victory in Deià

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) took a solo victory at the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana, after dropping his escape companions with more than 30 kilometres remaining. Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal) came across the line in second with Leopold König (Team Sky) just behind. The win comes on a mixed day for Movistar after they lost Rory Sutherland just 17 kilometres into the race.

"I'm really happy because this win confirms the good feelings I had throughout the race and the intense work we made during the offseason," Valverde said. "It was a team victory, just like yesterday’s effort ... we've got a great group, all of us get on with each other well and I think that plays a massive role on our wins. I dedicate this victory to them."

Valverde was part of a 26-man breakaway that went away after 40 kilometres of racing, a move initiated by his teammates Jesus Herrada, Javier Moreno and Francisco Ventoso. Friday’s last man standing Johan van Zyl was back in the break also, with his MTN-Qhubeka teammate Merhawi Kudus. Behind them, it was left to Team Sky to do the work on the front of the peloton after they missed the split.

The 26 riders were not given much room to manoeuvre by the chasing bunch and took a maximum advantage of 2 minutes. Valverde and Herrada got the jump on the escapees with 60 kilometres to go, with only Kudus able to keep up with the Movistar pairing. The Eritrean stayed with Valverde until the ascent of the Puig Major, where Valverde finally distanced his younger rival.

"We had to spend a lot to keep the escape going, but maybe a bit less than yesterday because it’s completely different to be on the break," Valverde said. "Sky never caught us - they were 20 seconds behind when I attacked into that second breakaway and later with the solo move."

On his own, Valverde’s advantage quickly extended from less than a minute to over two. With 15 kilometres remaining, Wellens set off in chase of the Spaniard with König in tow. It was too late however and Valverde sealed the win by more than a minute.

"Now we’re leaving for Dubai, and there is Qatar as well. The goal will be to gain racing form, profit from good weather in the desert and also help Lobato out into the sprints in Dubai. The Tour of Oman’s route suits me better, I like it more - we’ll see how we’re doing by then.”

Kudus went on to take the award for the most combative rider. "I felt really good today. On the climbs I was also very comfortable and relaxed the whole day. It's unfortunate because I just couldn't follow Valverde on the descent. In the end I had to settle for 10th but I am happy with today's performance and also to with the most combative prize as well," said Kudus.

Sunday's Trofeo Palma de Mallorca is the last race of the Mallorca Challenge.

Full Results

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#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team4:34:29
2Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal0:01:23
3Leopold Konig (Cze) Team Sky0:01:33
4Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) Movistar Team0:02:10
5Marc De Maar (Ned) Team RoompotRow 4 - Cell 2
6Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Movistar Team0:02:53
7Grega Bole (Slo) CCC Sprandi PolkowiceRow 6 - Cell 2
8Tiesj Benoot (Bel) Lotto SoudalRow 7 - Cell 2
9Frank Schleck (Lux) Trek Factory RacingRow 8 - Cell 2
10Kudus Merhawi (Eri) MTN-QhubekaRow 9 - Cell 2
11Davide Formolo (Ita) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team0:02:56
12Egoitz Garcia (Spa) Murias Taldea0:03:12
13Kristijan Koren (Slo) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team0:03:47
14Maciej Paterski (Pol) CCC Sprandi Polkowice0:07:17
15Fabio Felline (Ita) Trek Factory Racing0:08:19
16Mike Terpstra (Ned) Team RoompotRow 15 - Cell 2
17Antonio Molina (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGARow 16 - Cell 2
18Angelo Tulik (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 17 - Cell 2
19Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Cult Energy Pro CyclingRow 18 - Cell 2
20Christoph Pfingsten (Ger) Bora-Argon 18Row 19 - Cell 2
21Pawel Bernas (Pol) ActivejetRow 20 - Cell 2
22Dennis Vanendert (Bel) Lotto SoudalRow 21 - Cell 2
23Andre Cardoso (Por) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling TeamRow 22 - Cell 2
24Emanuel Buchmann (Ger) Bora-Argon 18Row 23 - Cell 2
25Patrick Schelling (Swi) IAM CyclingRow 24 - Cell 2
26Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto SoudalRow 25 - Cell 2
27Marcel Wyss (Swi) IAM CyclingRow 26 - Cell 2
28Stig Broeckx (Bel) Lotto SoudalRow 27 - Cell 2
29Lukasz Owsian (Pol) CCC Sprandi PolkowiceRow 28 - Cell 2
30José Mendes (Por) Bora-Argon 18Row 29 - Cell 2
31Patrick Konrad (Aut) Bora-Argon 18Row 30 - Cell 2
32Matej Mohoric (Slo) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling TeamRow 31 - Cell 2
33Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Trek Factory RacingRow 32 - Cell 2
34Jesus Del Pino (Spa) Burgus BHRow 33 - Cell 2
35Marcos Jurado (Spa) Spain0:08:24
36Javier Moreno (Spa) Movistar Team0:08:30
37Johann Van Zyl (RSA) MTN - Qhubeka0:14:16
38Vincent Jerome (Fra) Team Europcar0:14:29
39Kristoffer Skjerping (Nor) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team0:18:20
40Jesus Herrada (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 39 - Cell 2
41Philip Deignan (Irl) Team SkyRow 40 - Cell 2
42Danny Pate (USA) Team SkyRow 41 - Cell 2
43Eduard Prades Reverte (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA0:19:50
44David Arroyo (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGARow 43 - Cell 2
45Bjorn Thurau (Ger) Bora-Argon 180:21:12
46Maxime Mederel (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 45 - Cell 2
47Damien Garcia (Fra) Team Froy Oslo0:24:13
48Paul Voss (Ger) Bora-Argon 180:25:08
49Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Cult Energy Pro CyclingRow 48 - Cell 2
50Jesper Asselman (Ned) Team RoompotRow 49 - Cell 2
51Jaco Venter (RSA) MTN - QhubekaRow 50 - Cell 2
52Alberto Bettiol (Ita) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling TeamRow 51 - Cell 2
53Natnael Berhane (Eri) MTN - QhubekaRow 52 - Cell 2
54Romain Hardy (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions CreditsRow 53 - Cell 2
55Jerome Coppel (Fra) IAM CyclingRow 54 - Cell 2
56Morgan Lamoisson (Fra) Team Europcar0:26:18
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Coll Den Claret (Cat. 4), km. 4.7
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Javier Moreno (Spa) Movistar Team3pts
2Philip Deignan (Irl) Team Sky2Row 1 - Cell 3
3Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Cult Energy Pro Cycling1Row 2 - Cell 3
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Coll De Galilea (Cat. 3), km. 41.5
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Heiner Parra (Col) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA6pts
2Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Cult Energy Pro Cycling4Row 1 - Cell 3
3Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Soudal2Row 2 - Cell 3
4Jesus Herrada (Spa) Movistar Team1Row 3 - Cell 3
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Coll Des Grau (Cat. 4), km. 59.9
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Javier Moreno (Spa) Movistar Team3pts
2Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Soudal2Row 1 - Cell 3
3Tomasz Kiendys (Pol) CCC Sprandi Polkowice1Row 2 - Cell 3
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Coll D'honor (Cat. 2), km. 87.9
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Maciej Paterski (Pol) CCC Sprandi Polkowice10pts
2Louis Vervaeke (Bel) Lotto Soudal7Row 1 - Cell 3
3Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Cult Energy Pro Cycling5Row 2 - Cell 3
4Jesus Herrada (Spa) Movistar Team3Row 3 - Cell 3
5Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team2Row 4 - Cell 3
6Merhawi Kudus Ghebremedhin (Eri) MTN - Qhubeka1Row 5 - Cell 3
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Coll De Sa Batalla (Cat. 2), km. 124.4
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team10pts
2Merhawi Kudus Ghebremedhin (Eri) MTN - Qhubeka7Row 1 - Cell 3
3Mike Terpstra (Ned) Team Roompot5Row 2 - Cell 3
4Maciej Paterski (Pol) CCC Sprandi Polkowice3Row 3 - Cell 3
5Danny Pate (USA) Team Sky2Row 4 - Cell 3
6Kristoffer Skjerping (Nor) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team1Row 5 - Cell 3
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Coll De Puig Major (Cat. 2), km. 140.9
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team10pts
2Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal7Row 1 - Cell 3
3Davide Formolo (Ita) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team5Row 2 - Cell 3
4Kristijan Koren (Slo) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team3Row 3 - Cell 3
5Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Movistar Team2Row 4 - Cell 3
6Leopold Konig (Cze) Team Sky1Row 5 - Cell 3
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Coll Den Bleda (Cat. 3), km. 160.5
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team6pts
2Leopold Konig (Cze) Team Sky4Row 1 - Cell 3
3Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal2Row 2 - Cell 3
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Sprint 1 - Sa Coma, km 36,60
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Cult Energy Pro Cycling3pts
2Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Soudal2Row 1 - Cell 3
3Paul Voss (Ger) Bora-Argon 181Row 2 - Cell 3
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Sprint 2 - Lloseta, km 107,00
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Cult Energy Pro Cycling3pts
2Jesper Asselman (Ned) Team Roompot2Row 1 - Cell 3
3Louis Vervaeke (Bel) Lotto Soudal1Row 2 - Cell 3
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Special sprint 1 - Esportes, km 67,40
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Javier Moreno (Spa) Movistar Team3pts
2Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team2Row 1 - Cell 3
3Paul Voss (Ger) Bora-Argon 181Row 2 - Cell 3
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Special sprint 2 - Selva, km 113,90
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Cult Energy Pro Cycling3pts
2Jesper Asselman (Ned) Team Roompot2Row 1 - Cell 3
3Jesus Herrada (Spa) Movistar Team1Row 2 - Cell 3
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Teams
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Movistar Team13:48:30
2Lotto Soudal0:07:32
3Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team0:09:59
4CCC Sprandi Polkowice0:13:26
5Trek Factory Racing0:14:28
6Bora-Argon 180:19:54
7Team Sky0:33:10
8Team Europcar0:38:57
9Caja Rural-Seguros RGA0:42:56
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Mountains classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team28pts
2Maciej Paterski (Pol) CCC Sprandi Polkowice13Row 1 - Cell 3
3Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal9Row 2 - Cell 3
4Merhawi Kudus Ghebremedhin (Eri) MTN - Qhubeka8Row 3 - Cell 3
5Javier Moreno (Spa) Movistar Team6Row 4 - Cell 3
6Leopold Konig (Cze) Team Sky5Row 5 - Cell 3
7Davide Formolo (Ita) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team5Row 6 - Cell 3
8Mike Terpstra (Ned) Team Roompot5Row 7 - Cell 3
9Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Cult Energy Pro Cycling5Row 8 - Cell 3
10Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Soudal4Row 9 - Cell 3
11Jesus Herrada (Spa) Movistar Team4Row 10 - Cell 3
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Sprint classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Soudal2pts
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Special sprint classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Javier Moreno (Spa) Movistar Team3pts
2Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team2Row 1 - Cell 3
3Jesus Herrada (Spa) Movistar Team1Row 2 - Cell 3
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Combination classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team4pts
2Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Soudal4Row 1 - Cell 3
3Javier Moreno (Spa) Movistar Team4Row 2 - Cell 3
4Jesus Herrada (Spa) Movistar Team4Row 3 - Cell 3
5Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal3Row 4 - Cell 3
6Leopold Konig (Cze) Team Sky3Row 5 - Cell 3
7Merhawi Kudus Ghebremedhin (Eri) MTN - Qhubeka3Row 6 - Cell 3
8Maciej Paterski (Pol) CCC Sprandi Polkowice3Row 7 - Cell 3
9Davide Formolo (Ita) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team3Row 8 - Cell 3
10Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Movistar Team3Row 9 - Cell 3
11Mike Terpstra (Ned) Team Roompot3Row 10 - Cell 3

 

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