Sivakov top-5 on Nongla summit finish

Pavel Sivakov left everything on the road to take 5th spot on the hilltop finish on stage 5 of the Tour de Guangxi from Yizhou to Nongla (165.8km).

Tim Wellens hit out with a strong attack with -1.7km to go which triggered a chase by the team of eventual stage winner Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto Dstny).

Wellens would be reeled in with -800m when a select group containing  Sivakov came from behind at speed. Sivakov was unable to match the accelerations but hung on for 5th place on the line. He now sits 5th overall at +21” from Van Eetvelt. UAE Team Emirates lead the overall teams classification.

Sivakov : “It was a good day for me and the team. It was just an all-out ten minute effort in the end and the strongest guy won.  I gave it all I had and finished fifth in the end which was the best I could manage today. I’m still in contention for a podium I think so tomorrow we will try something and enjoy some good racing.”

Stage 5 results 

1.Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto Dstny) 3:36:18

2.Oscar Onley (DSM Firmenich) +2”

3.Alex Baudin (Decathlon AG2R) +9”

5.Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates) +11”