Resumen Volta A Catalunya 2023 | Etapa 5

In a day that could potentially determine the outcome of the Volta a España, the peloton braced themselves for a crucial stage on Friday. With the race still fiercely contested and riders neck-to-neck in the overall standings, everyone knew this was a make-or-break moment.

The fifth stage took the riders from Tortosa to the capital of the Bajo Ebro region, covering a distance of 176 kilometers. The route posed little difficulty until they reached the final climb, the dreaded ascent to Orop, also known as Montecaro. Starting at sea level and rising to an elevation of 980 meters, this climb was not for the faint-hearted. With gradients ranging from 8% to a staggering 20%, it was a true test of strength and endurance.

At around kilometer 45, a breakaway group of three riders, Tizan Hater, Guilló Martan, and Es Gaboy, managed to form ahead of the peloton. However, their lead was short-lived as Castrillo Parra and Carretero from Kenfarma, along with Amézqueta from Caja Rural and Azurmendi from Euskaltail, caught up with them. The six riders at the front maintained a gap of around two minutes, with the peloton led by Deceuninck-Quick Step hot on their heels. Benevol, sensing an opportunity, increased the pace to set up a thrilling chase before the final climb.

Gradually, the breakaway's advantage dwindled as Benevol's team relentlessly closed in. As they reached the foot of Laport, the gap was reduced to just one minute. It seemed like a near-impossible task, but Skabug Gremite was determined to push until the very end. The African rider went solo, leaving the peloton with João Barena chasing him down with only 6.7 kilometers remaining.

The peloton gradually splintered, leaving only Primoz Roglic and Sepuls in contention for the stage win. Carapaz and Ayan Buitele were dropping back, leaving Roglic in a comfortable position as the race leader. But then, in a familiar scene reminiscent of Wednesday's stage at La Molina, the reigning world champion, Almeida, launched an attack with four and a half kilometers left. Roglic and Soler responded, not willing to let the Portuguese rider gain an advantage.

Almeida closed in on the trio at the front, catching them with just over two kilometers remaining. It was a moment of high tension as Almeida made a move to break away, with Soler keeping a close eye on him. However, Roglic wasn't about to let anyone get away, promptly responding to Almeida's attack and taking control of the race.

In the final kilometer, Roglic and Evenepoel emerged as the frontrunners, setting the stage for a thrilling duel for both the stage win and the overall lead. With both riders tied on time, every second counted. Roglic accelerated, leaving Evenepoel behind in one of the last corners before the finish line. But Evenepoel refused to give up, fighting desperately to catch up. In the end, it was Roglic who triumphed, claiming the stage victory and extending his lead over Evenepoel by a crucial six seconds.

This win solidified Roglic's position as the leader of the Volta a España, yet again proving his dominance in the race. Evenepoel took third place, adding to his impressive performance in the overall standings. The top 10 included riders like Roglic, Pogacar, Almeida, Soler, and Urán, with Roglic leading by a 10-second margin over Evenepoel.

Stage 6 of the race promised further excitement and unexpected twists. The planned ascent of Fompineda was canceled due to safety concerns, altering the course. The riders now faced a challenging 174-kilometer route from Martorell to Malins del Rey, featuring the ascent of the Alt de la Creutaragal, a second-category climb. With the finish line still far away, it remained to be seen if the breakaway riders would finally find success.

Tomorrow holds the key to another thrilling chapter in the Volta a España, where anything can happen. Stay tuned for more cycling excitement!