Volta Ciclista a Catalunya

The profile of stage five screamed breakaway, but the day ended up in a bunch sprint. The many climbs in the first 140 kilometers were perfect for a group to ride away and stay there until the finish, and as such, the start was insanely fast, dozens of riders trying to get in the breakaway. One of these was Ilan Van Wilder, who attacked before the intermediate sprint, but the bunch responded to his acceleration – and to the many other similar moves that came afterwards – and kept things together.

It was almost 100 kilometers into the stage that five riders went up the road, building a two-minute advantage that was quickly erased on the Alt de la Creu d’Aragal ascent. William Junior Lecerf attacked on the descent and almost opened a gap, only for the peloton to react fiercely and remain as one, with the goal of a mass gallop in their mind.

At the end of the day, Axel Laurance (Alpecin-Deceuninck) took the win in Viladecans, while Mikel Landa concluded safely in the bunch and remained second overall before the last summit finish of the race, which will come at the end of a stage comprising more than 4000 vertical meters.

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