Vuelta a Espana 2016: Full Standings and Highlights After Stage 5 Results
Gianni Meersman was victorious at Stage 5 of the 2016 Vuelta a Espana on Wednesday, as the Etixx-Quick-Step rider won an exhilarating sprint finish.
The athlete from Belgium prevailed over the 171.3-kilometre race from Viveiro to a technical finish at Lugo, as the rain made for a dull affair early on, with the field concentrated on staying on their bikes.
A grandstand finish was set up as the peloton stuck fast together before Meersman made a late move. A number of cyclists collided at the end as the final sprint became frantic.
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BMC's Darwin Atapuma hangs onto the red jersey as the leader in the general classifications, 32 seconds ahead of Tour de France holder Chris Froome, who sits third overall.
Katusha's Tiago Machado led for most of the race, but the Portuguese was caught later in the day, paying for his early pace.
Etixx-Quick-Step celebrated the victory:
Here are the stage results, according to Sky Cycling:
The Vuelta's official Twitter feed provided the new general classifications:
Stage 5 Recap
The field ambled through most of the race during the Stage 5 of the Tour of Spain, as poor conditions blighted proceedings.
The rain made for slippery roads and a technical challenge as the peloton cruised through the flat course, which was wildly different from Stage 4's climbing.
Tinkoff's official Twitter feed provided the stage profile for Wednesday's racing:
A number of riders did make a fast start, attempting to take advantage of tired legs and inclement conditions.
Machado and Julien Morice of Direct Energie were the quickest out the blocks, as they made an aggressive break from a reluctant pack.
Machado and Morice rapidly stretched their advantage to three minutes, but the peloton refused to react or panic.
BMC were the first to push forward, initially cutting the duo's lead with a ruthless chase.
Rain continued to fall along the Galician coastline, as Trek-Segafredo joined BMC at the head of the peloton. The chase deliberately slowed as Machado and Morice continued to lead. The pair was feeling the pace after the 85-km mark, and the leaders began to lose their advantage as BMC kicked on.
Eight kilometres from the summit of the Puerto de Marco de Alvare, Machado was on his own as the leader, five minutes clear as the roads began to dry in the sun. Etixx-Quick-Step and Giant-Alpecin also made moves to join the front of the peloton as Trek-Segafredo set the pace.
The lack of world-class sprinters present made sure the field was spread out and confident, with a host of riders knowing an even finish was ahead of them. Morice's challenge was over as the shadows sharped over the climb with 57 kilometres to the finish line.
Alberto Contador of Tinkoff remained at the back of the peloton, as the famous Spaniard appeared to suffer with mechanical issues.
Etixx-Quick-Step, Trek-Segafredo and Giant-Alpecin collaborated at the front of the pack, forming a train that quickly destroyed the leader's advantage. The gap was cut to two minutes, as Machado's lead progressively disappeared.
The chasing teams soon caught their target, as Atapuma tucked into his BMC collective, making good ground in the GC breakdown.
Machado was out of his seat, proving his fitness, as the peloton temporarily backed off the leader.
However, the expected attack came with 13 kilometres remaining, as Team Sky attempted to consolidate their GC position.
A large pack of 80 riders fought for road position, as the pace became punishing after a slow day in the saddle. Bora-Argon 18 and Giant-Alpecin had competing sprint trains at the head of the peloton with eight kilometres remaining, as Froome took up a good position to attack.
Daniele Bennati took the lead as 50 cyclists positioned themselves for a mammoth finish in Lugo. Simon Clarke of Cannondale-Drapac made a break for the finish line but was engaged by Philippe Gilbert of BMC in the final two kilometres of racing.
However, Meersman took advantage of the slow early pace and made a strike at the front of the leaders, breaking away at the perfect point to claim the stage win.
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