A knee injury made it a complicated winter for Paul Martens but the German seems to have hit peak condition in time for his big goals in the Ardennes classics. Yesterday he sprinted to fourth in the difficult fifth stage of the Volta a Catalunya.

Things went according to plan for the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM during the fifth stage of the Volta a Catalunya today. Steven Kruijswijk was part of the day's breakaway, Stef Clement held on to his mountain jersey and Paul Martens placed fourth in the sprint. For the third time this week Giant-Shimano's Luka Mezgec claimed the stage victory. 

"It was harder than expected today," said Martens. "My legs didn't feel very good along the way, but my team-mates supported me and urged me to hang on so that I could sprint." 

And Martens pulled it off. In the sprint, however, the German had to squeeze his brakes, which cost him a lot of speed. 

"That was a pity, but I'm happy with the way I'm riding this week. Especially after this winter, when I wasn't able to train as often as I'd liked because of a knee injury. Next week, I kick off an important period with the Volta Limburg Classic. It seems like I'm going to be good by then."

Kruijswijk rode in the front today and appears to be approaching his former self again after artery surgery in his leg this winter. 

"We wanted to have somebody in the break today so that we did not have to chase," he said. "The guys in the break weren't too happy with me, however, as I'm still pretty high up in the overall. Therefore, we did not cooperate very well. I'm still happy with today, though. I just see it as a lively training. I'm happy to ride this race as the level is very high and I feel that I'm getting better and better." 

Sports Director Michiel Elijzen looks ahead to tomorrow.

"The course appears a little easier than today, but we'll be close to the coast, so the wind can play an important role," said Elijzen.

"A sprint is still likely, however. Mezgec already won three times, and I expect that many of the teams that are still empty-handed will take control. We hope to get another good result with Paul." 

You can read our preview of stage 6 here and follow our live coverage at 15.15 CET on CyclingQuotes.com/live