ProTeam Maxim Van Gils sets strongest time trial time in the Ruta del Sol

Unfortunately the Ruta del Sol consists only of one stage this year. Due to farmer protests, the organisation saw no other solution than to cancel the other stages. The stage that did take place today was an individual time trial over 5 kilometers in Alcaudete.

Maxim Van Gils set the fastest time and with that he also took home the general classification. He crossed the line in 8 minutes 17 seconds, 10 seconds faster than Juan Ayuso. "Firstly I didn't want to lose too much time, with the stage of tomorrow. During the recon I heard that the stage wouldn't take place tomorrow either, which of course wasn't nice to hear, but I was motivated to give it my all and such a short uphill time trial suits me. I immediately felt that I had good legs, but I never expected that I would win", says Van Gils.

"I also immediately rode to the bus after the time trial, then I heard that I had won and had to go to the podium, so it was great, it's still the Ruta del Sol. I felt good after the altitude training camp in Tenerife, it's a pity that the other stages have been cancelled now, but it is what it is. This was actually comparable to a 10-minute test on training camp, it's a good sign that I could win and it gives me confidence for what comes next."

Pictures: PhotoNews