Tirreno-Adriatico 2015: Quintana takes Queen Stage and GC lead

The Queen Stage of the 50th edition of the Tirreno-Adriatico leads the riders in 197 kilometres to the snow-covered Monte Terminillo. It's an heroic performance by Nairo Quintana soloing to victory in the last 5 kilometres. Bauke Mollema tries to hook up and finishes second. That's their positions in the overall now. (Slideshow route/profile)

Tirreno-Adriatico 2015: Results 5th stage

1. Nairo Quintana (col)
2. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 0.41
3. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) + 0.55
4. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
5. Alberto Contador (spa) s.t.
6. Thibaut Pinot (fra) s.t.
7. Adam Yates (gbr) s.t.
8. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) s.t.
9. Przemsylaw Niemic (pol) + 1.05
10. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 1.10

16. Wout Poels (nld) + 1.37
22. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 2.16

GC after the 5th stage
1. Nairo Quintana (col)
2. Bauke Mollema (nld) +0.39
3. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 0.48
4. Thibaut Pinot (fra) + 0.57
5. Alberto Contador (spa) + 1.03
6. Adam Yates (gbr) + 1.04
7. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) + 1.06
8. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) + 1.07
9. Steven Cummings (gbr) + 1.12
10. Wout Poels (nld) + 1.13

Race report
De Marchi is ambitious today and after a failed first attempt, he manages to escape in the company of Monfort, Scarponi, Montaguti, Grivko, Voss, Vicioso and Jesus Herrada. They race to a gap of around 7 minutes and it lingers there.

At the closing climb Scarponi, De Marchi and Monfort are off. The first drops his companions one after the other, but at the same time the pack is getting closer. All top-favourites are still aboard.

With 5 km’s left Quintana escapes and Nibali is the first to crack. The Colombian climbs to Scarponi and leaves him be, while attacks like gunfire sound amidst the chasers. Contador, Pinot, Uran – they alle try, but Mollema is the only one to successfully break free. Still 2.5 km’s left as the riders start hitting the snow.

Contador, Pinot, Pozzovivo and Yates are chasing Mollema, but they don’t make it. Instead they get company from behind. Leader Poels is not one of them.

Quintana wins the stage, Mollema is second at 0’40”. Joaquim Rodríguez is the first of the chasers.

Poels finishes 1’38” down and is out of the leader’s jersey. Nibali has got something to think about after crossing the line 2’16” after Nairo Quintana.