Usually the loyal domestique, Maarten Wynants got close to a rare victory when he joined the successful breakaway in today's stage of the Tour of Britain. The third place left him with mixed emotions.

Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM's Maarten Wynants nearly won Thursday's fifth stage at the Tour of Britain, riding clear in the day's main breakaway, and crossing the line third.

Matthias Brandle (IAM Cycling) attacked over a final climb to fend off the chasing Wynants, who crossed the line eight seconds back for Belkin's best result so far in the weeklong Britain tour.

"One way, I am happy with today, because I was feeling bad at the start of the race, and I was able to ride into the breakaway and almost win today," Wynants said. "On the other hand, I am disappointed to not win. You do not get many chances to win, and today was close."
 

Wynants rode into the day's main breakaway of four riders in the hilly, 177.3km stage to Exeter.

"Today was our best day so far at this race," said Belkin Sport Director Jan Boven. "Maarten was very strong to get into the breakaway group. The other teams pulled hard, and they did not gain more than a few minutes. The last 40km, the guys in the breakaway went full-gas. It's a shame Maarten could not win, but it's very good for morale."

"We had to go full-gas in the end to beat the chasing peloton," Wynants said. "There was one last hard climb, and Brandle attacked near the top. I went after him, but I couldn't close the gap. It was a steep descent, and two sharp corners. I tried to chase him down, but there was not enough road."
 

Belkin's Lars Petter Nordhaug finished with the lead chase group that crossed the line 14 seconds behind. Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) retained the overall lead, with Nordhaug climbing into 26th overall at 1:41 back.

The 11th Britain tour continues Friday with a hilly, challenging stage. The 205.6km stage to Hemel Hempstead is another rollercoaster stage packed with short, but steep climbs. Another breakaway could stay clear.

"Our goal is to win a stage here," Boven said. "Maarten was close today. That will lift morale for everyone. We will fight to the finish."