Volta a Catalunya 2022: Sprint triumph Vernon, Almeida new leader

fotobureau Cor VosEthan Vernon wins the 5th stage of the Volta a Catalunya in commanding style, while João Almeida grabs 1 second in an intermediate sprint to move into the GC lead. Nairo Quintana drops to second, Sergio Higuita still sits in third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 5th stage 2022 Volta a Catalunya

1. Ethan Vernon (gbr)
2. Phil Bauhaus (ger) s.t.
3. Damien Godon (fra) s.t.
4. Guillaume Boivin (can) s.t.
5. Kaden Groves (aus) s.t.
6. Martin Laas (est) s.t.
7. Manuel Peñalver (spa) s.t.
8. Ivo Oliveira (por) s.t.
9. Hugo Hofstetter (fra) s.t.
10. Guillaume Martin (fra) s.t.

General Classification
1. João Almeida (por)
2. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.01
3. Sergio Higuita (col) + 0.07
4. Juan Ayuso (spa) + 0.18
5. Wout Poels (nld) s.t.
6. Ben O'Connor (aus) s.t.
7. Tobias Halland Johannessen (nor) + 0.21
8. Guillaume Martin (fra) + 0.24
9. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 0.27
10. George Bennett (aus) + 0.57

Race report
Urko Berrade, Gotzon Martín and Joel Nicolau join forces after roughly 15 kilometres. The trio opens a 5 minutes gap on the Coll de Comiols.

The leaders are almost reeled in with 80 kilometres remaining, but the peloton delays the catch for a while. The gap bounces back to 2 minute and eventually the three are reeled in with 20 kilometres remaining.

Almeida grabs a time bonus of 1 second in the last intermediate sprint before Ethan Vernon powers to stage glory in Vilanova i la Geltrú.

Almeida takes over the leader's jersey, 1 second ahead of Nair Quintana with Sergo Higuita still in third, at 7 seconds.

Another interesting read: route 5th stage 2022 Volta a Catalunya.