MADRID, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Colombian rider Jarlinson Pantano (Trek-Segafredo) won a frantic fifth stage of the Volta d Catalunya (Tour of Catalonia) cycle race.
The Colombian crossed the line just ahead from the Norwegian rider, Vergard Laengan (UAE Arab Emirates) following a rapid descent to the finish line in Vielha Val de Aran at the end of a 212 kilometer stage with a first category and a special category climb included.
The speed of the riders on Thursday's stage saw the winner cross the finish line almost 45 minutes ahead of the predicted schedule.
The fact the last climb of the day was several kilometers from the finish with a long downhill to the Val de Aran always invited the possibility of a breakaway involving a group of riders who were not in contention for the overall win and that proved to be the case.
A 10-man group was involved in a long breakaway from early in the stage, but it was not until the final kilometers of the climb that Pantano and Laengan looked to put the hurt on their companions in the breakaway and were able to break clear and hold on during the final pursuit to the end.
The main peloton finished close enough behind to ensure there were no changes to the overall classification, which is still led by 2017 winner, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), who has a 16 second lead over Team Sky's Egan Bernal and a 26 second gap over his teammate, Nairo Quintana.
Saturday's 194 kilometer sixth stage from the Val de Aran to Torrefarrera starts with a second category climb which could well tempt another long breakaway, but despite another second category climb halfway through the stage, it is mainly downhill all the way to the finish line, which should allow the big teams to neutralize any escapees to ensure the overall qualification remains unaltered ahead of the Sunday's last stage into Barcelona.
