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Belgian takes 12th victory of the year for UAE Team Emirates-XRG
News | Team –17th February 2026
Tim Wellens produced one of the standout performances of the early season today, riding a bold long-range attack to victory at the Clásica Jaén Paraíso Interior for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The Belgian champion held off a fierce chase behind to cross the line ahead of Tom Pidcock (Q.36.5) and secure a memorable solo win on one of Spain's most challenging early season one-day races.
Covering 154 km around the historic town of Úbeda – shortened slightly this year due to severe weather but still featuring several sectors of gravel and rolling terrain – the race provided a unique blend of gravel, punchy climbs, and tactical complexity that tested all contenders.
Wellens cracked the race open with a decisive attack around 54 km from the finish, riding away with Mark Donovan (Q.36.5) before ultimately leaving the Briton behind in the gravel sections. He built a lead of more than one minute over the chasers, navigating technical off-road sectors and narrow olive grove roads with strength and precision. Despite sustained pressure behind – including a fierce pursuit led by Pidcock – Wellens's advantage proved insurmountable.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG enjoyed further success with Benoît Cosnefroy riding a powerful race to finish third.
Today's result was initially set to have Jan Christen on the podium alongside Wellens and Pidcock. However, following a race incident – under review by the commissaires – his result has been disqualified from the official classification, and the podium adjusted accordingly.
Tim Wellens: “I think the tactic was clear from the beginning since we were here with a very strong team. The idea was to always try to have somebody in the front so that the other riders could stay in the back and cover the moves a bit. I went quite early. I had to suffer a lot to drop Mr.Donovan who pushed me hard but I had very good legs. I kept my own tempo and followed my watts but in the end had a really good feeling. I paced myself well, I nearly had a crash but in the end I was very lucky to save it and feel very happy with the win.”
Clasica Jaen results
1.Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 3:29:31
2.Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q.36.5) +48”
3.Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +1'04”
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