Pogačar to the fore on first Vuelta summit

After a couple of stages for the sprinters, stage 5 saw the first real test for the climbers as the riders made their way from L’Eliana to the summit finish at the top of the Cat.1 Javalambre. (170.7km).

An early breakaway established inside the first twenty kilometres with three riders building a gap of over ten minutes.

As the race passed the halfway point it was the colours of UAE Team Emirates who led the chase behind, with Fernando Gaviria seen pulling at the head of the bunch with his teammates in tow.

The final climb of the Alto de Javalambre was the first time the 12km ramp has featured in La Vuelta history. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) was first of the favourites to make a move, reducing the group to no more than fifteen riders which included Pogačar and Aru.

Meanwhile, the trio up front battled it out for the win which eventually would go to Angel Madrazo (Burgos-BH).Behind him, Angel Lopez (Astana) went on the attack in the final two kilometres claiming seconds in the GC and the red leaders jersey in the process.

Pogačar crossed the line in seventh place and now stands second overall in the young riders classification and will wear the white jersey on stage 6 as Lopez holds the red. He also moves into 9th place overall at 1:49.

Pogačar speaking after the line: “I felt really good at the start of the climb. When Lopez attacked I just set my own pace and tried to follow Valverde. I’m happy with today and looking forward to the next days. It’s still only the first mountain stage so anything can happen”.

Fabio Aru finished 25th at 2’59, suffering the effects from his crash on stage 1. “Today I didn’t feel as good compared to Sunday. In the final part of the stage I was lacking energy and my leg an knee ached”.

Tomorrow is set to be another day for the climbers as riders set off from Mora de Rubielos to Ares del Maestrat (198.9k) where they finish on a Cat.3 climb.

Stage 5 results:
1.Angel Madrazo (Esp) Burgos-BH 4:58:31
2. Jetse Bol (Ned) Burgos-BH 10″
3. Jose Herrada (Esp) Cofidis 22″
7. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 1’29″
25. Fabio Aru (Ita) UAE Team Emirates 2’59″

General Classification after stage 5:
1. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana 18h55’21″
2. Primoz Roglic (Slo) Jumbo Visma 14″
3. Nairo Quintana (Col) EF 23″
9. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 1’49″
17. Fabio Aru (Ita) UAE Team Emirates 2’47″