The 25-year-old Luxembourger went on the attack in the closing kilometers of the day.
Twelve riders broke clear as soon as the flag was dropped on the longest stage of this year's Volta a Catalunya, a 213-kilometer trek punctuated with three climbs: Port d'El Canto (24.8 km, 4.3%), Port de la Creu de Perves (22.9 km, 3.5%) and the unclassified Tunnel de Vielha.
With the peloton showing no interest, they quickly opened up a five-minute gap, which then they nursered over the tough terrain of stage 5, arriving on the first slopes of the last ascent with a comfortable buffer of more than two minutes. Behind them, the bunch had their own race, one that began unfolding once Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) attacked, drawing Bob Jungels and Sebastien Reichenbach (Groupama-FDJ),
The Luxembourg Champion committed himself to this move and took some long and smooth pulls, which ensured the trio a 20-second advantage before the top of the ascent. Unfortunately, the valiant effort of Jungels and his companions didn't pay dividends, as the pack bridged across on the fast descent to Vielha Val d'Aran, sensing they still had a chance of bringing back the front duo. This didn't happen, and Pantano outsprinted Laengen, with Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Merida) rounding out the podium after getting clear from the peloton with 500 meters left.
In the general classification led by Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Bob Jungels gained a place, as the race prepares for the penultimate stage of the Spanish race, Vielha Val d'Aran – Torrefarrera, 194.2 kilometers.
Photo credit: ©Bryn Lennon/ Getty Images
