Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team riders Sylvain Chavanel and Peter Velits did their best to protect their GC standings on a crucial turning point, on the Stage 5 summit fiinish on Category 1 La Montagne de Lure on Friday.
The 13.5, 6.6% climb proved to be a test for all the top riders in the peloton. Richie Porte (Team Sky) won the stage solo. He made his move when he counter attacked the yellow jersey, Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Sharp), and a small group of other top GC riders, with 1.4km to go. He then passed Denis Menchov (Katusha) up the road with 1.2 km to go, and eventually won by 26".
Menchov was 2nd, and Talansky 3rd (+33"). Porte is also now the new race leader.
Chavanel and Velits were not far behind in a second chase group, staying together to get up the climb and keep their GC hopes alive. Chavanel and Velits are now 6th and 10th in the GC, at 53" and 56" back from Porte.
"Today the team did a good job," Sport Director Peeters said. "Chavanel and Velits were among the best on a not so easy climb. Now, in the GC we are in the top 10 with both Chavanel and Peter. The GC is really close. The top ten are within less than a minute of each other.The TT on Col d'Eze will be decisive, but tomorrow we need to be careful and remain attentive as well."
