Chris Froome: Team Sky rider 10th in Ruta del Sol as Tim Wellens wins

Froome is building up to the Giro d’Italia in May, where he could record a hat-trick of Grand Tour victories

British rider Chris Froome finished 10th in his first race since his adverse drugs test was made public.

The four-time Tour de France winner was never in contention on the final day of the Ruta del Sol - having started in 14th - and finished one minute and 57 seconds adrift of winner Tim Wellens.

The Belgian posted a time of 17 hours 41 minutes and 50 seconds in Spain.

Froome was 11th in the final stage - a time trial - which was won by Team Sky colleague David de la Cruz.

Double Olympic bronze medallist Froome has to explain to cycling's world governing body, the UCI, how he returned double the allowed level of legal asthma drug Salbutamol in his urine during his Vuelta a Espana victory in September.

Elsewhere, Geraint Thomas missed out on a third Volta ao Algarve title on the last stage of a race won by Team Sky colleague Michal Kwiatkowski.

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Stage five result

1. David De La Cruz (Spa/Sky) 17mins 11secs

2. Andrey Amador (Crc/Movistar) +6secs

3. Stef Clement (Ned/LottoNL-Jumbo) same time

4. Alexis Gougeard (Fra/ AG2R La Mondiale) +7secs

5. Marc Soler (Spa/Movistar) +9secs

6. Wout Poels (Ned/Sky) +11secs

7. Dylan van Baarle (Ned/Sky) same time

8. Tim Wellens (Bel/Lotto-Soudal) +14secs

9. Jan Tratnik (Slo/CCC Sprandi Polkowice) +24secs

10. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa/Astana) +24secs

General classification

1. Tim Wellens (Bel/Lotto-Soudal) 17hrs 41mins 50secs

2. Wout Poels (Ned/Sky) +8secs

3. Marc Soler (Spa/Movistar) +27secs

4. Jakob Fuglsang (Den/Astana) +30secs

5. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa/Astana) same time

6. Mikel Landa (Spa/Movistar) +42secs

7. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/LottoNL-Jumbo) +79secs

8. Simon Clarke (Aus/EF Education First-Drapac) +101secs

9. Andrey Amador (Crc/Movistar Team) +111secs

10. Chris Froome (GB/Sky) +117secs