Volta a Catalunya 2014 - Stage 5

The Volta a Catalunya 2014 had its fifth stage on Friday, and for Joaquim Rodriguez it was another day that he would have to hold on to his slender race lead. It was the longest stage of the week, 222.2 kilometres from Llanars-Vall de Camprodon to Valls. It had a lumpy profile but a flat finish, so it was likely a select group would sprint it out for the win.

A large, strong breakaway formed, containing Marcus Burghardt (BMC), Pierre Rolland (Europcar), Nathan Earle (Sky), Jeremy Roy (FDJ.fr), Steven Kruijswijk (Belkin), Georg Preidler (Giant-Shimano), Angel Madrazo (Caja-Rural) and Lukasz Owsian (CCC Polsat). They gradually built up their lead, but gradually disintegrated during the long day in the saddle.

As the last climb of the day beckoned, Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) tested his legs and stretched out the peloton, before Lieuwe Westra (Astana) did the same but to no avail. Then Alberto Contador tried to stretch the legs of the rest of the peloton, dancing clear in his familiar pedalling style. Rodriguez and Froome were alert however and didn't let El Pistolero out of their sight.

On the descent another Astana rider, this time Jakob Fuglsang put in an attack, which looked more likely to stick than the other moves. However, a sprint was beckoning, and he was also reeled in. Giant-Shimano were massing up front, meaning despite the long odds, Luka Mezgec had actually managed to negotiate the climbs of the day.

It was an uphill drag to the finish line, so it was no surprise to see Alberto Contador mixing it with the sprinters to try and gain some bonus seconds. The quicker men had their day however, as Luka Mezgec took his third win of the race in just five stages. Julian Alaphilippe took second, another impressive result for the Frenchman. Contador finished sixth, so the general classification wasn't effected going into the final two stages at the weekend.