Volta Ciclista a Catalunya Stage 3: Devenyns Top Finisher on Vallter

Volta Ciclista a Catalunya Stage 3: Devenyns Top Finisher on Vallter

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Dries Devenyns was the top finisher on a tough mountain finish at the 181.4 Volta Ciclista a Catalunya Stage 3 on Wednesday, where the top GC riders set a very high tempo on the 12km, 7.8% ascent to the finish on Vallter.

Alex Quintana (Movistar) attacked well inside the final kilometer, winning with teammate Alejandro Valverde in 2nd and Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) 3rd. Nine riders were within 10" of the winner, while a little more than 22 riders finished within a minute. Devenyns was 52nd (+2'11"). OPQS rider Gianni Meersman, who led the race after two consecutive stage wins — but said he would focus on helping teammates for the first mountain stage — crossed the line with the groupetto.

The elite group had worked their way to Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol), who attacked, caught, and passed Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) of the original four rider breakaway with 3.6km to go.

OPQS looks next to another tough mountain stage on Thursday, with five categorized climbs. Two of those climbs are HC, including 25km Port del Canto (5%).