Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team made sure the team was in every move at the 199.6km Volta Catalunya Stage 5, and protected Levi Leipheimer's GC position on Friday.
Kristof Vandewalle made a six rider break at the 100km point and stayed away until about 18 riders joined them with less than 18km to go. Marco Bandiera attacked very early on in the race as well, but was caught at the 21st kilometer. Omega Pharma - Quick-Step also worked at the front constantly to chase down other breaks, and then, when Vandewalle was caught, the team completely controlled the front leading into the final kilometers.
Leipheimer worked for the team at the front of the race in the final kilometers, but stays in GC contention with a 1'42" GC gap. Dario Cataldo went for the sprint victory in the final meters, but was bested by four other riders: Julien Simon (Saur Sojasun) in first, Rigoberto Uran (Sky) in second, Sylvester Szmyd (Liquigas-Cannondale) in third and Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi)in fourth.
Current GC leader Michael Albasini (GreenEDGE) was also near the front, and remains the GC leader.
