Vuelta a Espana: Tim Wellens finds more success with Stage 14 victory

Belgian has now won two stages in this year’s race

Team Lotto’s Tim Wellens celebrates (AFP via Getty Images)

Tim Wellens claimed his second stage win of this year’s Vuelta a Espana after edging a sprint finish over Michael Woods on Stage 14 from Lugo to Ourense.

Wellens of Lotto Soudal won the sprint from a small group and held off a late attack from Woods and the Deceuninck-Quickstep rider Zdenek Stybar.

Overall race leader Primoz Roglic managed to finish safely in the red jersey for Jumbo Visma, retaining his 39-second lead over Ineos Grenadier’s Richard Carapaz.

Wellens said: “It's not easy to win, I had to really fight to get in the breakaway, and all my companions in the breakaway were really strong riders.

“I knew I had to take the last corner in the first position. I felt Woods coming but suddenly the finish line was there, and I passed first. I was a little bit afraid of Woods in the sprint, but I think I did very good to start first and I saw the corner and knew I had to stay on the inside.

“I knew today was a day that suited me very well. It's one thing to look forward to a day, but you have to be in the right position, be in the breakaway and have the right legs and today everything went perfectly.”

After a frantic start to the 204.7-kilometre stage race, Wellens was able to establish a breakaway with 93km to go alongside six other riders that caused a strong lead ahead of the peloton.

Lotto Soudal looked to be in trouble when Stybar and Movistar’s Marc Soler attacked from the break and battled over the final climb of the day. However, Wellens put in a huge effort to bridge the gap to the leading duo just after the descent, before being caught by Ineos Grenadier’s Dylan van Baarle, Thymen Arensman from Sunweb, and Woods from EF Pro Cycling with just 1.3km to go.

Woods hit the front in the final ramp up towards the line, also looking for his second Vuelta stage win this year. The Canadian managed to hold onto the front until about 700m to go before Wellens kicked in the last half-kilometre.

Woods managed to hold onto the Belgian’s wheel, but Wellens’ pace and line were unmatchable, leaving no room for Woods to pass inside in the final 100m.

The 29-year-old now has two stage wins in the Vuelta a Espana and Giro d’Italia, with one in the Tour de France.