Volta a Catalunya 2015: Brilliant racing by Valverde, Porte new leader

Stage 5 in the Volta a Catalunya leads from Alp, in the Pyrenees, to Valls, near the coast. Theoretically an uneventful day, but when the big men take control the race becomes a battle-field. Leader Bart De Clercq is raced to shreds and Alejandro Valverde powers to victory after a brilliant finale. Richie Porte is the new leader. (Slideshow route/profile)

Volta a Catalunya 2015: Race results stage 5

1. Alejandro Valverde (spa)
2. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 0.05
3. Paolo Tiralongo (ita) s.t.
4. Richie Porte (aus) s.t.
5. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
6. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) s.t.
7. Alberto Contador (spa) s.t.
8. David Lopez (spa) + 0.12
9. Darwin Atapuma (col) + 0.15
10. Tejay van Garderen (usa) s.t.

33. Bart De Clercq (bel) + 2.53

General classification after 5th stage
1. Richie Porte (aus)
2. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) + 0.05
3. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.07
4. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.16
5. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 0.18
6. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.27
7. Darwin Atapuma (col) + 0.43
8. Rafael Valls (spa) + 0.43
9. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 1.09
10. Daniel Martin (irl) + 1.35

Race report
With 3 km’s done a group of twelve riders jump of the front of the peloton. Their max gain is half a minute and then they are reeled in. It takes awhile for another break to launch themselves, but after 50 km’s Jan Polanc, Calvin Watson and Yohan Bagot give it a go and they race to a maximum gain of 5 minutes.

Sky ups the pace and the escapees are caught with 40 km’s left. Leader Bart De Clercq is dropped and he is soon 1’20” down. Only 17 riders at the front.

When the chase starts the gap is shrinking slightly, but will it not be enough. All big favourites are in the front group, except for Dan Martin.

Alejandro Valverder escapes from the group of favourites and manages to stay clear. Uran finishes second and the new GC leader Porte is fourth.