Tim Wellens sets himself up for Renewi Tour win despite mechanical on queen stage: "I didn’t win but I think I can be happy"
Cycling
Tim Wellens suffered from a small puncture in the end of today's stage at the Renewi Tour, but the UAE Team Emirates managed to save the day, and he jumped into the race lead with a second place on the day.
“I’m really happy to take the leaders jersey today. We came into this race aiming to win the GC and knew today would be a key day in that fight," Wellens has said in a post-race interview."I had a really good day on the bike, I felt really good. We had myself, Trentin and Hirschi as the ‘protected’ riders and we collaborated well."
Wellens attacked in the final ride up the Mur de Geraardsbergen. He rode solo for a few kilometers and took seconds in the golden kilometer. With Joshua Tarling far behind, Wellens who was second in the GC was in perfect position. He was part of a group of eight which rode out into victory at the end of the day, but it wasn't an easy task. "I was unlucky to have a flat tyre towards the end but also lucky that I didn’t lose too much tyre pressure so decided not to stop and change it."
That proved the right decision. The puncture was sealed and Wellens could continue his race relatively normally. With the company of Marc Hirschi in the front of the race, the race was safe for the Belgian, who rode to second and extended his lead on most of the competition. "In the end I came very close to take the victory. I didn’t win but I think I can be happy with my day," he concluded, with two days of racing left and 24 seconds of lead over Yves Lampaert.
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- wtf dudemij07-11-2026
- big rival … ridiculous.Ketterechts07-11-2026
- It would be great if the World Champion's jersey could be rotated among McNulty, Simmons, and Jorgenson. They threaded the needle perfectly. If each hadn't done exactly what he did, exactly when he did it, the race would have gone to one of the more heralded superstars. That said, how nice that this humble and hardworking guy gets his moment in the sun.
MarkFour07-11-2026 - This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
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👍 @Tim_Wellens is the NEW LEADER of the @RenewiTour . #WeAreUAE
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