Cycling: Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) has just won the fifth stage of the Vuelta a España. The Kazakh broke away from a large breakaway group and triumphed as a soloist at the finish line. Chris Froome (Sky) was also allowed to cheer. The leader defended his red jersey and gained a surprising amount of time over his biggest rivals.
John Degenkolb gets out
The Tre-Segafredo team has not been doing well at the Vuelta a España so far. After falling far behind in the overall standings, Alberto Contador now has John Degenkolb had to give up the race. The German suffers from bronchitis and was unable to compete in the fifth stage. This fifth stage took the riders over 175,7 kilometers from Benicàssim to Alcossebre today. There were four climbs to be completed along the way before the final climb to the Erimita Santa Lucía had to be climbed.
Davide Villella's mountain jersey is getting tighter and tighter
After seven kilometers, the first riders were able to break away from the peloton. More were added. A total of 16 professionals formed the top group of the day. Among them were Julian Allaphillipe (Quick-Step Floors), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana), Merhawi Kudus (Dimension Data), Marco Haller (Katusha-Alpecin) and Michael Schwarzmann (Bora-hansgrohe). Davide Villella (Cannondale-Drapac) also snuck up to extend his lead in the mountains. The Italian was able to do that, because on the one hand he encountered little resistance and on the other hand he was simply the professional with the best punch.
Haller and Lutsenko break away
Although Team Sky around leader Chris Froome initially tried to keep the distance within limits, the team eventually gave up. So it was clear relatively early on that the breakaway group would fight for victory today. Meanwhile, Lutsenko and Haller broke away from their companions. Another attack from Alaphilippe broke up the once large leading group. A chase for the stage win began.
Alexey Lutsenko celebrates his greatest success
The Haller/Lutsenko duo arrived together at the foot of the final climb. Uphill, however, the Kazakh proved to be much stronger. He left Haller and drove towards his first stage win in a Grand Tour. Kudus meanwhile jumped up on Haller and left him standing. The Eritrean secured second place ahead of Marc Soler (Movistar). It then got exciting in the fight for the red jersey. Because the question still had to be clarified as to whether a breakaway could start in the guise of a leader tomorrow – and if so, which one?
Froome takes time from almost everyone - Bardet very weak
As the field entered the final ramp, Gianni Moscon (Sky) took command. The Italian set such a high pace that only a few riders were able to keep up. Finally, Chris Froome (Sky) launched his attack. Surprisingly, Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) could keep up, as could Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott) and Michael Woods (Cannondale-Drapac). Together they reached the goal. Teja Van Garderen (BMC) lost the connection a few meters before the line and thus eight seconds. Fabio Aru (Astana) lost eleven seconds to Froome today, Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) 26 and Romain Bardet (Ag2r) even 49.
