PARIS, France – Spanish veteran Alejandro Valverde, 41, won the third stage of the Gran Camino on Saturday ahead of Canadian Michael Woods, still the leader of this new cycling event organized in Galicia (northwestern Spain).
Valverde, third then second in the first two stages, won this time at the finish of the 148 kilometers in Luintra.
The Movistar rider, who planned to hang up the bike at the end of the year, came within 10 seconds of Woods before Sunday’s final time trial in Sarria, over the 16 kilometer distance.
World champion in 2018, Valverde won the 132nd success of his career, the second of the current season after a Challenge de Mallorca event at the end of January.
Ranking of the 3rd stage:
1. Alejandro Valverde (ESP / Movistar), the 148 km in 3 h 42:42.
2. Michael Woods (CAN/ISR) mt
3. Ivan Sosa (COL/MOV) at 01.
4. Igor Arrieta (ESP/KER) 51.
5. Mark Padun (UKR/EF1) 51.
…
General classification:
1. Michael Woods (CAN/Israel PT) 12:15:16.
2. Alejandro Valverde (ESP / MOV) at 10.
3. Ivan Sosa (COL/MOV) 50.
4. Rubén Fernandez (ESP/COF) 1:39.
5. Igor Arrieta (ESP/KER) 2:07.
