Volta a Catalunya 2018 Stage 5: Pantano brings early break home, Valverde still leader

The Volta a Catalunya's 5th stage is the longest of this edition. At 212.9 kilometres, the route travels over three huge climbs to finish with a descent to the line in the Aran Valley. Jarlinson Pantano flies to victory, while Alejandro Valverde retains overall leader. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 5th stage 2018 Volta a Catalunya

1. Jarlinson Pantano (col)
2. Vegard Stake Laengen (nor) s.t.
3. Matej Mohoric (slo) + 0.10
4. Giovanni Visconti (ita) s.t.
5. Danillo Wyss (swi) s.t.
6. Sergey Chernetskiy (rus) + 0.12
7. José Joaquin Rojas (spa) + 0.14
8. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
9. Dorian Godon (fra) s.t.
10. Björg Lambrecht (bel) s.t.

GC after the 5th stage
1. Alejandro Valverde (spa)
2. Egan Bernal (col) + 0.16
3. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.26
4. Pierre Latour (fra) + 0.48
5. Simon Yates (gbr) + 1.12
6. Marc Soler (spa) + 1.18
7. George Bennett (nzl) s.t.
8. Hugh Carthy (gbr) + 1.24
9. Daniel Felipe Martinez (spa) + 1.28
10. Jesper Hansen (den) s.t.

Race report
Shortly after the start Egan Bernal wins the first intermediate sprint, thus moving 3 seconds closer to leader Alejandro Valverde.

Then nine riders open up a gap and three more join them. The full party – Maxime Monfort, Danilo Wyss, Jarlinson Pantano, Laurent Didier, Francois Bidard, Vegard Stake Laengen, Giovanni Visconti, Valerio Agnilo, Sergey Chernetskiy, Jordi Simon, Antonio Molina, Jetse Bol – hits the Port d’El Canto almost 4 minutes before the peloton. When they reach the summit the lead is down to 2’30”, while Catalan rider Simon is the first to crest.

On the Port de la Creu de Perves Monfort and Laengen head out together, while Pantano and Simon rejoin them. With the exception of Molina and Agnoli the others hook on to before Pantano takes most KOM points ahead of Simon.

Stake Laengen and Pantano head out together on the last climb. Bob Jungels, Sebastien Reichenbach and Steven Kruijswijk go after them, but to no avail. The peloton brings them back.

On descent Visconti, Chernetskiy and Wyss are the first chasers. Just before entering the arrivival place the peloton is close behind. Mohoric jumps clear and gobbles up the chasers. He crosses the line with his hand in the air… oeps!

Pantano crossed the line 10 seconds before him. The Colombian dropped Stake Laengen in the last kilometre to race to his first win of 2018.

Valverde finishes safely in the bunch and retains in the overall lead.