The mountain finish of Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 5— 14.5km, average gradient average gradient 7.1% with several points at 12%, and 22 hairpin turns —obliterated the field during Sunday's 196km race from Martinsicuro to Prati di Tivo.
Peter Velits and Jerome Pineau showed their strength by making the front split. The front group caught a lone rider out of three who escaped earlier in the race, and went on to ascend the brutal climb. Pineau led the chase, and then the front group, for several kilometers. However, attacks began to fly with less than 8km to go, and the final attack by Vincenzo Nibali (LIQ), with 3.7km remaining, stuck. Ten riders unsuccessfully tried to chase, and Roman Kreuziger (AST) and Chris Horner (RNT) took 2nd and 3rd in the 10 rider chase group. Unfortunately, Velits and Pineau did not make the 10 rider chase group, which was forced to chase in the final 3km section that was 7% in average gradient.
Velits was the top finisher for Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team, in 14th place at 1'11" back from Nibali.