Volta a Catalunya 2025: Sprint triumph Brennan, Ayuso reclaims GC lead

foto: Cor VosThe peloton splits into echelons in the final 15 kilometres of the 5th stage. Matthew Brennan isn't fazed and sprints to a commanding victory. Juan Ayuso grabs a bonus second along the way, regaining the overall lead from Primoz Roglic. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 5th stage 2025 Volta a Catalunya

1. Matthew Brennan (gbr)
2. Tibor Del Grosso (nld) s.t.
3. Pavel Bittner (cze) s.t.
4. Marijn van den Berg (nld) s.t.
5. Corbin Strong (nzl) s.t.
6. Axel Laurance (fra) s.t.
7. Dorian Godon (fra) s.t.
8. Nico Denz (ger) s.t.
9. Eric Antonio Fagúndez (uru) s.t.
10. Juan Ayuso (spa) s.t.

GC after stage 5
1. Juan Ayuso (spa)
2. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 0.01
3. Enric Mas (spa) + 0.21
4. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.22
5. Lenny Martinez (fra) + 0.28
6. Laurens De Plus (bel) + 0.59
7. Egan Bernal (col) s.t.
8. Lennert Van Eetvelt (bel) + 1.12
9. Simon Yates (gbr) + 1.14
10. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 1.27

Race report
Mats Wenzel, Enzo Paleni, and Jokin Murguialday attack from the gun. Bruno Armirail and Michael Leonard are the first to bridge across to them quickly, before Mikel Bizkarra and Jan Castellon make it seven at the front. Their lead never exceeds 2 minutes.

It’s evident that the breakaway’s efforts are in vain, but Paleni and Jokin Murguialday think otherwise. They ride together at the front for tens of kilometres, after which Paleni continues alone with 45 kilometres remaining.

Paleni crosses the line first at the intermediate sprint in L’Aldea, with Jan Tratnik edging out Juan Ayuso for second place, before the lone attacker is caught.

In the final 15 kilometres of action, the peloton splits in the crosswinds. Lennert Van Eetvelt, Junior Lecerf, and Matthew Riccitello find themselves on the wrong side of the split, and their chances are effectively over.

The sprint for the stage win is closely contested until Matthew Brennan surges past like a missile in the last 50 metres to claim victory. Tibor Del Grosso and Pavel Bittner finish second and third, respectively.

By securing that single bonus second along the route, Juan Ayuso retakes the lead in the general classification from Primoz Roglic.

Another interesting read: route 5th stage 2025 Volta a Catalunya.