Laurent Didier took his first international victory when he emerged as the strongest from a 12-rider breakaway in stage 5 of the USA Pro Challenge. The stage was held under brutally cold and rainy conditions which gave the Luxembourger an advantage as he always excels in bad weather.

The 168-kilometer stage five into the Colorado ski haven of Breckenridge was another day for opportunists, and Laurent Didier wasted no time in jumping in the day’s escape when it finally formed a third of the way into the race.

It was his second straight day off the front but the Luxembourger showed no sign of fatigue as he attacked and powered away on the final climb of the day and held his slim advantage to the line to take the win, his first international victory.

Javier Acevedo (Garmin Sharp) and Rob Britton (Smartstop) were breathing down his neck for the last five downhill kilometers, nearly catching Didier in the closing meters. They would finish in the same time, for second and third places respectively, but fittingly the victory went to Didier who proved he was the strongest of the breakaway.

"At the beginning of this race I had a little problem with the altitude because I was planned for the Vuelta, so I came here late," he said. "I needed a few days to adapt. Yesterday I attacked at kilometer zero and made the break happen and two days ago I was in the final group of 25, and today it worked out.

"When we started the race I was in the front to go with a breakaway, but I just did not have the legs from the last two days where I did a lot of work - the feeling in the legs were like concrete! After 40 kilometers the road narrowed and I moved to the front and followed one move and boom! I was in the break. 

"But then my legs were still not the best, but with the rain starting and the cold it was good for me. In the first climb I knew I had to make the selection because I was scared of Acevedo. I also knew the last climb was steep and that is not favorable for me.

"I told Kim [Andersen, director] that this was the climb where I had to try. Then when they came back and I saw it was not a great situation with two Garmins. So I let Ben King go, because in my opinion [Acevedo] was stronger, and then I made my move. I am super happy because I don’t win many races, but the ones I do win are in tough conditions. It’s a little strange but it’s like that.”

It was another fast start to the fifth day of the USA Pro Challenge and it was 60 kilometers before a 13-man escape group formed. With no overall threat in their midst they were granted a ticket to ride, and they stayed together until the longest climb of the day, Hoosier Pass, where Didier first showed his strength and crested the 3500-meter pass alone.

But on the wet descent he was caught by Acevedo, King and Rob Britton (Team Smartstop) and the four men led across the finish line in Breckenridge with only one small local circuit and one more ascent remaining. Didier made his winning attack on the steep climb, and with five seconds in hand held the small gap to take the deserved victory. For Didier, the Luxembourg time trial champion, it was his biggest victory and first international road win, and after Jens Voigt narrowly missed the win in stage four, it was also a huge boost for Trek Factory Racing.

“When I attacked on [Hoosier Pass] I actually thought that maybe I could make it to the finish but when you are alone and behind you have three guys to pull it’s too hard," Didier said. "But then against two Garmin it was not so easy either, so I had to play it smart. I did not do the race last year, but I remember the climb on television because I watched it from home. It was a hard last 300 meters but I gave it all, because I knew after it was fast to the finish. But I have to say that I was a little scared with 500 meters to go that they might catch me.

"I have not won a lot of races, but the ones I have won have always been in the rain! So in the middle part of the race when there was a lot of rain, I stayed focused, put on my rain jacket and gloves, so I was prepared for the finale.”

While Didier celebrated his hard-earned win, the GC battle raged behind. Tejay van Gaderen (BMC) attacked on the same steep final climb to gain a few more seconds over some of his rivals. Matthew Busche arrived to the finish five seconds after van Gaderen and moved one spot up the ladder to fifth place overall, another positive omen ahead of the uphill Vail time trial tomorrow.