Ruta del Sol stage 5: Teuns wins TT as Fuglsang secures GC victory

Jakob Fuglsang defended his 2019 overall title at Spain’s Ruta del Sol on Sunday, winning the five-day race for the second time in as many years.

Fuglsang (Astana) finished second place in the stage 5 time individual trial behind Belgian Dylan Teuns (Bahrain-McLaren), with Alexander Edmondson (Mitchelton-Scott) rounding out the podium.

“Of course, for me it was important to keep the jersey but with a short and intense TT, you have to give everything and I didn’t want to take too many risks on the descent so to finish second, I am really happy,” Fuglsang said after the win. “I hope it will be a good season and starting like this with a good result here gives me confidence and I can now work towards my next goals.”

The margin of victory was painfully small for Teuns in the hilly 13-kilometer race, and he crossed the line less than one second ahead of Fuglsang. The final stage upended the final standings in the general classification, with Mikel Landa (Bahrain-McLaren) falling from second to third place overall, and Jack Haig (Mitchelton-Scott) advancing from third into second place.

American Brandon McNulty, who was sitting in 10th position following Saturday’s penultimate stage, advanced up to seventh place overall with a strong ride. McNulty was fifth on the stage.

The victory bodes well for Fuglsang’s 2020 ambitions. In 2019 he cruised to victory at Ruta del Sol without winning a single stage; this year he dominated the race, winning two stages and finishing second twice.

Fulgsang will again tackle a full slate of hilly classics races in the spring before racing the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France.

“I am really happy that I could repeat my overall win here,” Fuglsang said. “It’s amazing to start the season by winning this race again. Last year I had the best season of my career so far and I hope that repeating this win means I can do the same again.”

Ruta del Sol stage 5 Mijas – Mijas (13km)

1. Dylan Teuns, Bahrain-McLaren, 17:57
2. Jakob Fuglsang, at s.t.
3. Alex Edmondson, Mitchelton-Scott, at 0:02
4. Pello Bilbao, Bahrain-McLaren, at 0:03
5. Brandon McNulty, UAE-Team Emirates, at 0:09
6. Ion Izagirre, Astana, at 0:17
7. Jack Haig, Mitchelton-Scott, at 0:24
8. Chris Harper, Jumbo-Visma, at 0:31
9. Nelson Oliveria, Movistar, at 0:32
10. Sonny Colbrelli, Bahrain-McLaren, at 0:36

Final General Classification

1. Fuglsang, 17:47:58
2. Haig, at 0:59
3. Mikel Landa, Bahrain-McLaren, at 1:12
4. Izagirre, at 1:18
5. Teuns, at 1:45
6. Bilbao, at 1:47
7. McNulty, at 3:08
8. Marc Soler, Movistar, at 3:21
9. Ruben Fernandez, Fudacion-Orbea, at 3:33
10. Harm Vanhoucke, Lotto-Soudal, at 4:12