Tim Wellens beats Pidcock and wins the Jaén Paraíso Interior Classic with a long-range attack

Tim Wellens has finally earned his golden olive. The Belgian from UAE Team Emirates XRG secured an undeniable victory in the fifth edition of the Jaén Paraíso Interior Classic after launching a decisive move 61 kilometers from the finish and completing the day solo in Úbeda. After several years of coming close to victory, this time he did not let the opportunity slip away.

Tim Wellens finally conquers Jaén with a long-range attack and a solo exhibition

The race once again proved to be a different classic within the calendar, with a very high pace from Linares, constant tension, and the dirt sections as a selective element. The peloton rode very quickly in the early stages, with numerous breakaway attempts neutralized before the race definitively hardened on the dirt roads.

The first major turning point came in the sectors of Vandelvira and Mar de Olivos. That’s where the real selection began. With 61 kilometers to go, Wellens changed the pace and took Mark Donovan with him. The move was not just a simple test. The Belgian wanted to break the race from afar, aware that in Jaén, taking the initiative usually pays off.

On the second pass through Mar de Olivos, with 39 kilometers ahead, he launched the definitive attack. A sudden change of pace that allowed him to open a gap while behind, the chasing group, including riders like Tom Pidcock and Benoît Cosnefroy, struggled to find the necessary coordination to close the gap. The lead exceeded a minute, and although it slightly decreased at times, it never compromised his victory.

RECOMENDADO

Evenepoel to continue its triumphant start to the season on the UAE Tour 2026

The latest update from Favero multiplies the autonomy of its pedals to up to 160 hours

New Lapierre in development: more travel and complete redesign of the frame

Schwarzbauer wins the sprint with the new Canyon and Terpstra debuts the Lapierre PXR in Chelva

The World XCO Champion kicks off the season at the Internacionales de Chelva 2026

More details about the new Trek XCO prototype

Wellens skillfully managed the final sectors, including Juancaballo and Santa Eulalia, maintaining a steady cadence and avoiding mistakes on roads that, with the recent rain, had become a trap. At 16 kilometers from the finish, he experienced his most delicate moment when he skidded on a gravel curve that almost took him down.

“I skidded, lost control, and thought I had fallen, but luckily I made a good stop and managed to stay upright,” he explained after the race.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Clásica Jaén Paraíso Interior (@clasicajaen)

Having overcome the scare, the Belgian maintained his concentration until arriving in Úbeda, where he crossed the finish line solo, finally sealing a victory that had eluded him in previous editions. “I attacked quite early because I had good legs. In the end, the pursuers closed the gap, but I was able to keep pushing my power until the finish. Today I felt very good,” declared the winner.

Behind him, the podium was completed by Tom Pidcock, who was the favorite, and Benoît Cosnefroy after Maxim Van Gils was involved in a crash in the final sprint caused by a maneuver that ended with Christen's disqualification.

The best Spaniard was Iván Romeo, who finished fourth and acknowledged that he lost his chances due to technical issues. “It was a very tough race; I am happy with my performance, but not in the technical aspect because I was not at the level of the rivals I was with. I lost contact on a couple of descents. I had the legs to fight for the podium, but this is not just about legs,” he commented.

The Valladolid native detailed one of the key moments: “I went into the ditch; these are things I will have to train more. I lack in the technical aspect, but I was good in terms of power. There was a high level, with Pidcock, Christen, Van Gils… I will have to work more on some aspects.”