Tim Wellens: "I will do everything I can to take home the overall win"

It was the second time this year that Tim Wellens raised his arms in glory, after doing it in Mallorca for the first time, however this win at the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var was arguably more impressive and more important as now a GC win is imminent aswell.

“It was definitely not an easy stage but just like yesterday I felt really good and with the way the team worked tirelessly, it was just a joy to race like this. They brought me towards the foot of the Col d’Eze just perfectly," Wellens said after the finale.

“I started the climb in ideal position but when Quintana launched his attack, I didn’t have an immediate answer. I realised he went a little too fast so I needed to pace my effort and I could eventually make up ground a bit later. To be honest, I was struggling on the plateau just after the summit but when I finally caught Quintana, I think that I broke his morale a bit. I knew the finish all too well because Ilive just a couple of kilometres away in Monaco.”

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Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var: Tim Wellens wins queen stage and goes into the final day in pole position

After having been key in Caleb Ewan's leadout yesterday, Tim Wellens started the day as one of the favourites for the race's queen stage. However with Nairo Quintana present and putting on the pressure early on the final climb it was a tough challenge to keep the Colombian's move under control.

Despite not being able to keep up, the Lotto Soudal rider took advantage of the run-up to the line in La Turbie on flat roads to catch up with Quintana, and without much difficulties, beat him in the final sprint.

“Of course we are going full for the overall win but tomorrow’s longer climbs are not in my favour. I expect that Arkéa Samsic will go full and try to make it as hard as possible for us. In theory it’s quite simple: I just need to follow Quintana’s wheel. However, I will do everything I can to take home the overall win," he completed with.

Wellens has to resist one more day though as the final 112.6 kilometer stage features a number of climbs, however none as hard as today's, and much more suited to him then to his main rival Nairo Quintana. Lotto Soudal will nevertheless have to keep tight control on the peloton in a day that starts with another ascent of the Col d'Éze, and that will be a tough ask.