Three from three for Remco Evenepoel as he completes Mallorca hat-trick in style

The Challenge Mallorca has, so far, been a true Evenepoel show. After António Morgado won the Trofeo Calvià, Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe took the honours in the Trofeo Ses Salines team time trial. One day later, Evenepoel himself lit up the race with a 50-kilometre solo. Could he repeat the trick on Saturday?

Trofeo Andratx–Pollença was another punchy, hilly day out — but the riders were hit by dreadful conditions. The wind was so strong that the organisers decided to cut the opening part of the route, with the race effectively beginning at the foot of the Coll de sa Gramola. Fewer kilometres, but immediate action — and a brutally hard opening phase as a result.

It took a while before the elastic finally snapped, but eventually a strong group managed to go clear: Raúl García Pierna (Movistar), Felix Engelhardt (Jayco AlUla), Adne Holter (Uno-X Mobility), Diego Uriarte (Equipo Kern Pharma), Alexys Brunel (TotalEnergies), Samuel Fernández (Caja Rural–Seguros RGA) and Jonathan Caicedo (Petrolike). The seven tried to anticipate the expected Evenepoel dominance.

The break never received much breathing room. With 60 kilometres remaining, the race hit the Coll de Puig Major — the longest and hardest climb of the day — and Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe controlled steadily as the advantage began to melt away. García Pierna tried to kick on, but he was quickly reeled in as Van Gils moved to the front — and soon after, Evenepoel himself took over.

That first acceleration didn’t lead to a decisive split. A handful of outsiders responded, things settled again, and Van Gils tried to force the issue once more. Evenepoel, however, was closely shadowed by Spanish champion Iván Romeo (Movistar), something that visibly frustrated the Belgian.

The racing remained stop-start all the way to the top of Puig Major. Movistar had numbers behind Romeo, while Rondel (Tudor), Christian Scaroni and Adria Pericas (UAE Team Emirates–XRG) were also in the mix. Just over the summit, Evenepoel launched a sharp attack again — and once more, Romeo was glued to his wheel. The pair dropped into the descent together.

Romeo knew exactly what to do: refuse to work. That hesitation allowed a chasing group to return, and Movistar attempted to use its numerical advantage as Diego Pescador jumped away — but it was quickly clear the move would not stick, and the group came back together.

Later, Pescador again managed to open a gap on the descent, but Evenepoel bridged across with Rondel on his wheel. It was suddenly a very favourable situation for the Belgian top favourite: Evenepoel pressed on, dropped the young Colombian, and the duo of Evenepoel and Rondel quickly built a lead. Rondel even contributed turns alongside the Olympic time trial champion.

Smart or risky? Either way, it meant the pair started the final climb with roughly a minute in hand. On that finishing ascent it became clear very quickly that Evenepoel was simply a level above. Rondel fought hard and briefly looked as if he might limit the damage, but eventually cracked. Evenepoel sealed three wins in three days, Rondel took second, and Van Gils completed the podium behind.