MONTREAL: Belgian Tim Wellens beat Britain’s Adam Yates in a sprint finish to win the Montreal Grand Prix on Sunday.

It was the 24-year-old Lotto-Soudal rider’s third World Tour victory following success in the Eneco Tour of the Benelux countries the last two years. In terrible weather with driving rain, Wellens beat escape companion Yates, of the Australian Orica-GreenEdge team, who had launched hostilities on the final ascent of the Camillien-Houde climb.

But after 205.7km and 17 laps of a street circuit around Montreal, Welllens sprinted to victory with former world champion Rui Costa taking third just two seconds back. “I like these conditions, there was air. I prefer this to a heatwave,” said Wellens, who succeeded Australian Simon Gerrans as winner.