Today’s 5th stage of Tirreno-Adriatico was another grueling stretch of 192 kilometers starting in Amatrice to finish in the Toscan highlands in a small city, Guardiagrele where a steep uphill finish formed the perfect scene for an intense and yet another exciting finale

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8 riders, Benjamin King (Garmin Sharp), Adam Hansen (Lotto Belisol), David De La Cruz (NetAPP Endura), Matthias Brandle (IAM), Andriy Grivko (Astana), Yaroslav Popovych (Trek Racing Factori), Luca Paolini (Katusha), and Simon Geschke (Giant Shimano) were eager to elope and they formed the initial breakaway. The group however slimmed down to just Ben King, David de la Cruz  and Simon Geschke ascending the first big slope.

 

More importantly, Tinkoff-Saxo’s Alberto Contador eyed a weakness in Kwiatkowski’s shield and on the penultimate climb with 32 kilometers to go, he launched an attack in a big gear that simply exploded the group of favorites while teammate, Roman Kreuziger stayed on the wheel of the leading rider, Kwiatkowski.

 

Placed third overall, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) put in a tenacious effort to bridge the gap to Contador who now worked together with the dropped riders from the initial break. Diving down the descent, Contador was still chasing three leaders with Adam Hansen (Lotto-Belisol) while being chased by a small group including Nairo Quintana but without Kwiatkowski. Contador was now headed towards the overall lead of the race and a possible stage win.

 

With 9 kilometers to go, Contador and Hansen bridged the gap to the front group and working alone, Contador continued the fast pace going straight to the front of group without asking for favors and none was given from the followers. Soon the front group took on the steep uphill finish with an average gradient of 25% but with sections of more than 30%.

 

Ben King put in a sudden and quite surprising attack with two kilometers to go while Contador  kept focusing on his own rhythm soon sweeping him back up and on the final kilometer, Alberto Contador powered away to take the stage win and a deserving overall lead as well.

 

Naturally, Alberto Contador was thrilled after the memorable performance:

 

“Well, the dream was to go alone and that motivated me to go the way I went and needless to say that I’m extremely happy about this result and the way the whole team performed today. The race is not over before the final stage is done so the overall win is not secure just yet. Right now, I just enjoy the moment,” said the Tinkoff-Saxo Spaniard after the stage.

 

"I spoke to Nairo at the foot of the Passo Lanciano. Soon after the start, he had no team left. I still had Kreuziger. I thought the best strategy was to stay on Nairo’s wheel and then attack at the end of the stage, but instead I managed to open a gap. I’m happy because I was able to build a good advantage and stay away to the finish. I’m in good shape, and confident, hence the long attack today.

 

“I wouldn’t say it’s my best win on Italian soil because winning the Giro was incredible for me and, of all the Grand Tours I’ve won, it left me with wonderful memories.

 

“Winning is always important for your confidence. When you win one, they seem to come easier. Though at times winning resists you and sometimes you start winning from the very start of the season.

 

"I was good before Algarve and before this race but you never know if you're going to win. It's good for my confidence. I'm feeling good and so I was able to win from far out, which is nice too.

 

"I think there are some very strong riders in this race. But today I felt good, right from the start of the climb. That gives you confidence and I'm happy because I've been working very hard I get the same sensations that I've felt at camps, where I've worked very hard.

 

"I'm a kind of rider that sets winning as my goal and so when you don't have the legs or there are riders who are stronger than you, it means you have a fight with what's on your mind.

 

“My preparation has been stress-free this winter. I have isolated myself a bit, I’ve turned down any commitments that could have taken time out from training. I’ve ridden many metres of climbing in training camps, and I’ve kept my mouth closed to keep my weight down, which becomes harder as you get older.

 

"You saw the results today, although the year has just begun, and I’m still lacking some race rhythm. My weight is good, but I still need to give my legs the tone they need for my big objectives later in the season. I don’t yet have that little bit extra bit for the big goals of the season like the Tour de France and the Vuelta."

 

Tinkoff-Saxo DS, Philippe Mauduit was excited as well but admits the overall lead isn't safe.

 

"Of course, our main ambitions was to take time on Kwiatkowski but when and how to make the crucial move was not planned as we wanted to see how the stage developed. And fortunately, Alberto found just the right time and place to launch the attack and he worked alone against a chase group of five riders but still managed to gain time. However, the race isn't over yet and we have to remain focused on the job," Mauduit concluded.

 

You can read our preview of stage 6 here.