Jens Voigt may be riding the penultimate race of his career in the Tour of Utah but the German definitely doesn't plan to ease into retirement. Yesterday he attacked throughout the entire stage 5 of the race before being brought back 3km from the line.

Even on the days programmed for a sprint finish the Harry Miller Tour of Utah throws in a mountain. The Bald Mountain Pass is the highest point the Tour of Utah has ever reached, however, it topped out mid-way through the 163-kilometer stage, and with all the descending and flat roads still to cover, it was a large peloton that roared into the town of Kamas for the finish.

The long gradual climb of Bald Mountain was a perfect launching pad for Jens Voigt, where he attacked to bridge across to a three-man breakaway, which had escaped early in the stage. Two others - sensing this may be an opportunity not to miss - joined Voigt, and the three riders added renewed power to the leading group.

However, the exposed, straight roads of Utah lacked technical twists and turns to aid the escape and impede a motivated chase from behind. The gap to the six leaders plummeted quickly, and at four kilometers to go Voigt made a now-or-never attack. It was enough to split the break into three leaders, but a kilometer later it was nullified.

“Jens was his normal crazy and amazing self – in the first breakaway at the beginning, then back in the peloton, then in the break again!  Impressive. When I see that I don’t understand why he is stopping his career," Clément Chevrier said

The bunch sprint into a crosswind finish was furious, and it was American Eric Young (Optum Kelly Benefit Strategies) who snatched the win in an incredible show of power.

Trek Factory Racing stagiaire Alex Kirsch sprinted to a respectable top 10 finish, coming across the line in 8th position.

“The sprint was super hard because of the crosswinds and the small roads," he said. "The fight began for the last 10 kilometers, just fighting, fighting, fighting for position. It was a little uncontrolled the last 500 meters. I was up there – I am happy with that.”

“It was very nervous for the last 40kms, from after the first passage of the finish line," Chevrier said. "There was a lot of wind and the road was very narrow; the sprinters wanted to be in the front, the GC leaders wanted to be in the front, and there was not a place for everyone.  The finish was special because the skinny guys were battling the sprinters in the wind to be at the front. It was crazy.”

There were no changes to the overall: Matthew Busche continues in 11th place, and Clément Chevrier in 17th,. Chevrier also held the blue jersey signifying the Best Young Rider, and will wear it in the queen stage tomorrow.

Stage six will feature 5800 meters of climbing and end with a summit finish - the fireworks are not over yet. Trek Factory Racing will aim to advance Busche in the overall standings, plus keep the blue jersey cemented to the shoulders of Chevrier.