Welcome to live coverage of the Vuelta a Espana!
So today should see Petacchi and Zabel come back to the front for a sprinting party. The stage is 166.7 km, and there is only one climb: the Cat 3 Alto de Lanzas Agudas that crests 89km from the finish. Otherwise, it is pretty much flat or downhill. Finally.
6:27 am PDT. There is a four man break up the road as we start that has over a six minute lead on the peloton.
The break includes Saeco strongman Igor Astarloa, Rabobank danger man Karsten Kroon, David Navas Chica (Colchon Relax-Fuenlabrada), and Mariano Piccoli (Lampre). A solid group, this.
Flash: Jose Pecharroman (Paternina-Costa de Almeria), a favorite of sorts at the start of the race, has withdrawn at the feed zone today. My fantasy teams are now screwed. This rider will certainly be a force in the sport for years to come. He will ride with Quickstep next year. Here's hoping it is just bad form, and not something else.
6:40 am PDT. 69km left. The group of four off the front has a lead of just over 6' still. This will be close, with the spinters' teams taking up the chase. They will really have to hammer to catch these four. But Fassa Bortolo and Telekom have nothing else better to do anyway, now that their GC men are out of contention. (Well, okay, Frigo is still in the GC hunt).
Kroon takes the last "sprint" of the day with 64km left. He is simply on the front as the four men, who are working very well together, fly under the banner.
ONCE is leading the chase in the bunch as Astorloa is now the virtual GC leader on the road, by a handful of seconds. They'll likely close it down a bit, then hand off to the sprinters' teams.
6:46 am PDT. 63km left. Okay, now the gap is coming down pretty fast. It is currently 4' 50". CSC has a few men pulling on the front of the peloton. They are very happy so far with the sprinting of their outstanding man, Julian Dean. Interestingly, US Postal also has a man pulling through in the chase. Hmmmm.
Wow, the gap is now 4' 24". It is really coming down quickly now. So ONCE, CSC, Postal, and a Rabobank rider are in a small train on the front of the peloton trying to bring the break back.
The weather is absolutely beautiful after of couple of days of what the Norwegians would call drittvaer (I'll let you translate that yourselves) that included lots of wind and heavy rain at times.
With so many teams in the peloton now ganging up on the four men off the front, this breakaway now seems doomed.
6:51 am PDT. 58km left. Holy cow! Now a strong sidewind is splitting the peloton to pieces! The sun is out, but the wind is playing havoc with the race!
The peloton is split into three echelons. Richard Virenque (Quickstep-Davitamon), the winner of this year's mountains competition in the Tour de France, is in the third echelon. It looks like Leipheimer (Rabobank) has also dropped behind the front peloton.
So US Postal is driving it in the front echelon. They have done this before, a couple of years back. They are notorious for this. There are a lot of Posties near the sharp end of the peloton. The Gold Jersey is in the front peloton, which still has over 100 riders in it. The groups off the back are small, 30 riders or less.
6:59 am PDT. 51km left. Petacchi's Fassa squad is driving at the front of the peloton now, so the big Italian super-sprinter must be there.
An echelon of about 30 riders is just about to rejoin. A small group of five or six riders is still about 100 meters behind, however.
The scene is chaotic. Just as the group joins in the back, the string snaps near the front! A group of about 30 men has just flown in an echelon off the front of the peloton!
Men are strung out all over. There are several men in ones and twos trying to jump across to the front peloton.
The Fassa boys really must have the hammer down, and the wind must be quite strong to do this. Quite amazing, this. Now the riders make a big right hand turn, and what was a strong wind from the left will now be a tailwind! This will help those left behind quite a bit.
The peloton now creeps back to the left and the echelons come back out. There have been some regroupings, but a huge split is still evident between the front and back halves of the peloton. Meanwhile the four men up front keep the hammer down, praying.
7:10 am PDT. 45km left. The lead of Astorloa, Kroon, Piccoli, and Navas Chica is just over 2'. Postal and ONCE still drive it on the front of the peloton. It looks like Hincapie working it. Fassa is also there. The tailwind is back, and there is a regrouping. Some orange Euskaltel jerseys drop back to help their men, who are still off the back, fight back on.
The Euskaltel men are now safely back in the peloton.
The gap is 2' 13" to the four leaders. The hammer is still down in the peloton, but things are still grouped together with the prevailing tailwind.
The four men are moving at speeds over 60kph right now. That's a serious tailwind. They are also powerful riders on a slight downslope. Postal and Fassa are on the front again, seeing what damage they can do.
38 km left. The peloton is all strung out. The windmills on the side of the road are churning with the fierce winds today. ONCE and Fassa are now driving on the front of the peloton in pursuit of the four breakaways.
Boy, the climbers and those whose legs aren't 100% will be glad when today's stage is over. Tomorrow, of course, is the first very important individual time trial.
Hopefully, Cofidis and David Millar will have their knickers cleaned properly tonight so they can look and feel their best tomorrow.
Millar is one for the time trials, after all.
The gap is now 1:28. ONCE and Bianchi are on the front of the pack.
7:25 am PDT. 27km left. The gap is down to 1' 08". And dropping rapidly.
Fassa, ONCE and Telekom leading the pack. Zabel will be looking to finally get one over on Petacchi this season. If Zabel finishes high on the stage, he should take the lead in the points competition.
The gap is now down to 52". The four men have pretty much turned it off at this point. Their long escapade is now doomed to end soon.
7:30 am PDT. 20km left. The four leaders are still dangling off the front, but not for long. Maybe.
Kroon smiles for the cameras. Astarloa looks tired and annoyed. They gave it a great go, but will get swept up any moment now.
The break is in sight, and doomed.
The peloton is pulsing and changing like a giant amoeba. The winds and the jockying for position on the wide roads leading into Zaragoza are keeping the action wild and wooly in the peloton.
They've got 'em... with 23 km to go, everyone is all together. With Evans out and Aitor not on form, Telekom and Fassa Bortolo are driving it home for their big hopefuls, the sprinters Petacchi and Zabel. I think Eric Zabel likes his chances today...
So far this year the stages have been very short and intense. With the sun out and the roads dry, this should be a much safer run-in to the finish than we've have for a couple of days.
7:41 am PDT. 10km left. A Rabobank rider - Beat Zberg - has attacked. But not for long. He's back now.
Telekom and Fassa are keeping the pace high... those attacks aren't going to have much luck today. The road signs say Zaragoza, so they are almost home today.
7km left. The amoeboid peloton still churns with people trying to move up and swamp the men in front of them. The roads are just wide open and straight on still. Alessio is mixing in up there, too... making room for Angelo Furlan.
Ah, a wild zebra-man from Domina Vacanze has shown himself at the front. They are working for Lombardi. And Erik Zabel is sitting pretty behind the Fassa Train.
But the rest of the Telekom team isn't with him. Where is his leadout man Fagnini?
Still, this finish, with a slight uphill kick, will suit the little German. Can he take Petacchi, though? 5km left. Man, this is just a drag strip of a run-in. They are flying.
Finally, the riders have hit some narrower roads, down to two lanes instead of four.
Now there is a crash! It is a Lampre man! He has hit the barriers!
Final kilometer. The crash has disrupted the sprint leadout.
Here comes Petacchi. It's him vs. Edo! Easy win for Petacchi. 1. Petacchi, 2. Edo, 3. Dean.
Well, that was a strangely uncompetitive sprint. The crash caused a split, and Petacchi was alone with two of his boys off the front. Edo was the only man able to bridge that gap.
The Lampre rider looks to be aware, but in pain. The side of his face hit the barriers. They have put him in a neckbrace as a precaution.
Zabel in 4th, Fred Rodriguez (Vini Caldirola) was near the front of that sprint - he was 6th.
Edo and Petacchi had about 20 meters on the rest of the sprinters at the finish.
Alessandro Cortinovis is the Lampre man; he has been transported in the ambulance. Our best wishes go to him, and we hope to bring you good news about his condition later in the day.
Thank you for reading today, and please join us again tomorrow for the Individual Time Trial!
Stage 5 Results
1º Etacchi, Alessandro Ita Fas 3:19:26
2º Edo, Angel Esp Mil m.t..
3º Dean, Julian Nzl Csc a 2
4º Zabel, Erik Ger Tel m.t.
5º Bucciero, Antonio Ita Sae m.t.
6º Rodriguez, Fred Usa Vin m.t.
7º Furlan, Angelo Ita Als m.t.
8º Svorada, Jan Cze Lam m.t.
9º Valverde, Alejandro Esp Kel m.t.
10º De Jongh, Steven Ned Rab m.t.
11º Lombardi, Giovanni Ita Dve m.t.
12º Etxebarria, David Esp Eus m.t.
13º Perez, Luis Esp Cof m.t.
14º Mondini, Gianpaolo Ita Dve m.t.
15º Moreni, Cristian Ita Als m.t.
16º Torrent, Carlos Esp Alm m.t.
17º Herrero, Ivan Esp L2c m.t.
18º Van Heeswijk, Max Ned Usp m.t.
19º Vicioso, Angel Esp One m.t.
20º Rigo, Dario Ita Fas m.t.
21º Hayman, Mathew Aus Rab m.t.
22º Usov, Alexandre Blr Pho m.t.
23º Schweda, Raphael Ger Tbi m.t.
24º Trentin, Guido Ita Cof m.t.
25º Nozal, Isidro Esp One m.t.
26º Gerrikagoitia, Gorka Esp Eus m.t.
27º Perez, Santiago Esp Pho m.t.
28º Trenti, Guido Usa Fas m.t.
29º Isasi, Iñaki Esp Eus m.t.
30º Möller, Klaus Den Mil m.t.
31º Tankink, Bram Ned Qsd m.t.
32º Barry ,Michael Can Usp m.t.
33º Osa, Aitor Esp Ban m.t.
34º Golbano, Carlos Esp Alm m.t.
35º Boonen, Tom Bel Qsd m.t.
36º Garate, Juan Manuel Esp Lam m.t.
37º Gonzalez, Santos Esp Dve m.t.
38º Jufre, José Esp Crf m.t.
39º Gonzalez, Aitor Esp Fas m.t.
40º Vila, Francisco Esp Lam m.t.
41º Schleck, Frank Lux Csc m.t.
42º Luttenberger, Peter Aut Csc m.t.
43º Sevilla, Oscar Esp Kel m.t.
44º Scarponi, Michele Ita Dve m.t.
45º Hincapie, George Usa Usp m.t.
46º Lopeboselli, Angelo Ita Cof m.t.
47º Rasmussen, Michael Den Rab m.t.
48º Righi, Daniele Ita Lam m.t.
49º Osa, Unai Esp Ban m.t.
50º Farazjin, Peter Bel Cof m.t.
51º Glez. Galdeano, Igor Esp One m.t.
52º Grabsch, Bert Ger Pho m.t.
53º Bruun, Thomas Den Csc m.t.
54º Zaballa, Constantino Esp Kel m.t.
55º Christensen, Bekim Den Csc m.t.
56º Belli, Wladimir Ita Lam m.t.
57º Pospyeyev, Kyryl Ukr Dve m.t.
58º Casero, Angel Esp Tbi m.t.
59º Engels, Addy Ned Rab m.t.
60º Pereiro, Oscar Esp Pho m.t.
61º Casero, Rafael Esp Alm m.t.
62º Flores, Iker Esp Eus m.t.
63º Piccoli, Mariano Ita Lam m.t.
64º Van Goolen, Jurgen Bel Qsd m.t.
65º Heras, Roberto Esp Usp m.t.
66º Sastre, Carlos Esp Csc m.t.
67º Beltran, Manuel Esp Usp m.t.
68º Gonzalez, Gorka Esp Eus m.t.
69º Garcia Casas, Félix Esp Tbi m.t.
70º Fernandez, Bingen Esp Cof m.t.
71º Vinale, Alberto Ita Als m.t.
72º Horrillo, Pedro Esp Qsd m.t.
73º Rodriguez, Joaquin Esp One m.t.
74º Hernandez, Jaime Esp Tbi m.t.
75º Garcia Calvo, Cesar Esp L2c m.t.
76º Cerezo, Francisco Esp L2c m.t.
77º Masciarelli, Simone Ita Vin m.t.
78º Rubiera, José Luis Esp Usp m.t.
79º Gutierrez, Francisco Esp L2c m.t.
80º Fofonov, Dmitri Kaz Cof m.t.
81º Gutierrez , José Esp Kel m.t.
82º Serrano, Marcos Esp One m.t.
83º Jimenez, Eladio Esp Ban m.t.
84º Dominguez, Juan Carlos Esp Pho m.t.
85º Mercado, Juan Miguel Esp Ban m.t.
86º Mancebo, Francisco Esp Ban m.t.
87º Aerts, Mario Bel Tel m.t.
88º Azevedo, José Por One m.t.
89º Lastras, Pablo Esp Ban m.t.
90º Noval, Benjamín Esp Crf m.t.
91º Sorensen, Nicki Den Csc m.t.
92º Pradera, Mikel Esp One m.t.
93º Rebollo, Jose Luis Esp Crf m.t.
94º Sinkewitz, Patrick Ger Qsd m.t.
95º Del Olmo, Txema Esp Mil m.t.
96º Landis, Floyd Usa Usp m.t.
97º Burgos, Nacor Esp Crf m.t.
98º Cardoso, Pedro Por Mil m.t.
99º Sironi, Gianluca Ita Vin m.t.
100º Casagranda, Stefano Ita Als m.t.
101º Werner, Christian Ger Tel m.t.
102º Cabello, Francisco Esp Kel m.t.
103º Julich, Bobby Usa Tel m.t.
104º Cuesta, Iñigo Esp Cof m.t.
105º Cardenas, Felix Col L2c m.t.
106º Sanchez, Domingo Esp Alm m.t.
107º Garcia Quesada, Carlos Esp Kel m.t.
108º Wesemann, Steffan Ger Tel m.t.
109º Horrach, Joan Esp Mil m.t.
110º Hruska, Jan Cze One m.t.
111º Rund, Thorsten Ger Tbi m.t.
112º Schreck, Stephan Ger Tel m.t.
113º Brognara, Andrea Ita Als m.t.
114º Glomser, Gerrit Aut Sae m.t.
115º Garmendia, Aitor Esp Tbi m.t.
116º Cañada, David Esp Qsd m.t.
117º Nieto, Germán Esp Crf m.t.
118º Bertolini, Alessandro Ita Als m.t.
119º Boven, Jan Ned Rab m.t.
120º Arrieta, José Luis Esp Ban m.t.
121º Zberg, Beat Sui Rab m.t.
122º Joachim, Benoit Lux Usp m.t.
123º Gustov, Volodymir Ukr Fas m.t.
124º Silva, Renato Por Mil m.t.
125º Zucconi, Pietro Sui Vin m.t.
126º Zuelle, Alex Sui Pho m.t.
127º Sandstod, Michael Den Csc m.t.
128º Arrizabalaga, Gorka Esp Eus m.t.
129º Navas, David Esp Crf m.t.
130º Piepoli, Leonardo Ita Ban m.t.
131º Jaksche, Jörg Ger One m.t.
132º Garcia Acosta, José Esp Ban m.t.
133º White, Matthew Aus Usp m.t.
134º Apollonio, Massimo Ita Vin a 25
135º Astarloa, Igor Esp Sae a 27
136º 5 Ivanov, Serguei Rus Fas a 30
137º Tosatto, Matteo Ita Fas m.t.
138º Ivanov, Ruslan Mda Als a 36
139º Lunghi, Denis Ita Als m.t.
140º Kroon, Karsten Ned Rab a 52
141º Calcagni, Patrick Sui Vin a 58
142º Martinez, Alberto Esp Eus a 1:02
143º Millar, David Gbr Cof a 1:25
144º Etxebarria, Unai Ven Eus a 1:30
145º Latasa, David Esp Kel a 1:41
146º Virenque, Richard Fra Qsd a 6:27
147º Bertoletti, Simone Ita Lam m.t.
148º Manzano, Jesus Maria Esp Kel m.t.
149º Martin Perdiguero, Miguel Esp Dve m.t.
150º Tauler, Antonio Esp Kel m.t.
151º Barroso, Paulo Por Mil m.t.
152º Van De Wouwer, Kurt Bel Qsd m.t.
153º Amorim, Gonçalo Por Mil m.t.
154º Pugaci, Igor Mda Sae m.t.
155º Hiekmann, Torsten Ger Tel m.t.
156º Lara, Francisco José Esp Tbi m.t.
157º Dessel, Cyril Fra Pho m.t.
158º Bayarri, Gonzalo Esp Pho m.t.
159º Calvente, Manuel Esp Csc m.t.
160º Otero, Gustavo Esp L2c m.t.
161º Mutsaars, Ronald Ned Rab m.t.
162º Jeker, Fabian Sui Mil m.t.
163º Lopez, David Esp L2c m.t.
164º E Los Angeles, Juan José Esp Fas m.t.
165º De La Fuente, David Esp Vin m.t.
166º Laguna, Oscar Esp Crf m.t.
167º Guidi, Fabrizio Ita Tbi m.t.
168º Aebersold, Niki Sui Pho m.t.
169º Cheula, Giampaolo Ita Vin m.t.
General Classification after Stage 5
1º Nozal, Isidro Esp One 14:11:03
2º Etxebarria, David Esp Eus a 50
3º Rodriguez, Joaquin Esp One a 50
4º Glez. Galdeano, Igor Esp One a 50
5º Serrano, Marcos Esp One a 50
6º Beltran, Manuel Esp Usp a 1:00
7º Heras, Roberto Esp Usp a 1:00
8º Osa, Aitor Esp Ban a 1:14
9º Osa, Unai Esp Ban a 1:14
10º Mancebo, Francisco Esp Ban a 1:14
11º Mercado, Juan Miguel Esp Ban a 1:14
12º Perez, Luis Esp Cof a 1:32
13º Valverde, Alejandro Esp Kel a 1:35
14º Sevilla, Oscar Esp Kel a 1:35
15º Garcia Quesada, Carlos Esp Kel a 1:35
16º Sinkewitz, Patrick Ger Qsd a 1:38
17º Flores, Iker Esp Eus a 1:40
18º Gonzalez, Gorka Esp Eus a 1:40
19º 2 Garcia Casas, Félix Esp Tbi a 1:51
20º 1 Sastre, Carlos Esp Csc a 2:03
21º 7 Rasmussen, Michael Den Rab a 2:08
22º Vicioso, Angel Esp One a 2:09
23º Azevedo, José Por One a 2:09
24º Frigo, Dario Ita Fas a 2:15
25º Landis, Floyd Usa Usp a 2:15
...
37º Casero, Angel Esp Tbi a 3:10
43º Gonzalez, Aitor Esp Fas a 3:34
52º Hincapie, George Usa Usp a 4:58
56º Belli, Wladimir Ita Lam a 5:34
57º Astarloa, Igor Esp Sae a 5:39
64º Zabel, Erik Ger Tel a 6:14
98º Zuelle, Alex Sui Pho a 13:48
110º Petacchi, Alessandro Ita Fas a 14:57
124º Jaksche, Jörg Ger One a 16:20
141º Svorada, Jan Cze Lam a 19:55
162º Millar, David Gbr Cof a 30:28
Points Classification after Stage 5
1º Petacchi, Alessandro Ita Fas 50
2º Zabel, Erik Ger Tel 42
3º Dean, Julian Nzl Csc 37
4º Etxebarria, David Esp Eus 36
5º Rodriguez, Joaquin Esp One 32
6º Etxebarria, Unai Ven Eus 31
7º Glez. Galdeano, Igor Esp One 30
8º Edo, Angel Esp Mil 30
9º Perez, Luis Esp Cof 28
10º Valverde, Alejandro Esp Kel 23
11º Nozal, Isidro Esp One 22
12º Gutierrez , José Esp Kel 20
13º Sastre, Carlos Esp Csc 20
14º Zaballa, Constantino Esp Kel 19
15º Vicioso, Angel Esp One 17
16º Boonen, Tom Bel Qsd 17
17º Cardenas, Felix Col L2c 17
18º Lombardi, Giovanni Ita Dve 17
19º Svorada, Jan Cze Lam 17
20º Hruska, Jan Cze One 16
Mountains Classification after Stage 5
1º Cardenas, Felix Col L2c 34
2º Perez, Luis Esp Cof 25
3º Nozal, Isidro Esp One 20
4º Jeker, Fabian Sui Mil 16
5º Sastre, Carlos Esp Csc 12
6º Piepoli, Leonardo Ita Ban 11
7º Garcia Calvo, Cesar Esp L2c 10
8º Etxebarria, Unai Ven Eus 10
9º Zaballa, Constantino Esp Kel 8
10º Etxebarria, David Esp Eus 7
11º Pepoli, Christian Ita Sae 7
12º Horrach, Joan Esp Mil 6
13º Hruska, Jan Cze One 6
14º Astarloa, Igor Esp Sae 6
15º Osa, Aitor Esp Ban 6
16º Sevilla, Oscar Esp Kel 4
17º Piccoli, Mariano Ita Lam 4
18º Pradera, Mikel Esp One 4
19º Lopez, David Esp L2c 4
20º Zberg, Beat Sui Rab 4
Teams Classification after Stage 5
1º Once - Eroski ONE 42:34:49
2º Euskaltel - Euskadi EUS a 56
3º IBanesto.com BAN a 2:02
4º Kelme - Costa Blanca KEL a 2:15
5º US Postal Service Berry Floor USP a 2:35
6º Quick Step - Davitamon QSD a 5:02
7º Milaneza - MSS MIL a 5:18
8º Cofidis, le credit par telephone COF a 8:48
9º Team Bianchi TBI a 9:10
10º Domina Vacanze-Elitron-RDZ DVE a 9:53
11º Lampre LAM a 10:10
12º Team CSC CSC a 10:21
13º Phonak Hearing Systems PHO a 10:38
14º Labarca-2 Cafe Baque L2C a 14:00
15º Paternina - Costa de Almeria ALM a 14:05
16º Fassa Bortolo FAS a 14:10
17º Team Telekom TEL a 14:30
18º Rabobank RAB a 16:14
19º Colchon Relax - Fuenlabrada CRF a 19:44
20º Alessio ALS a 26:02
21º Saunier Duval - Vini Caldirola VIN a 29:55
22º Saeco - Longoni Sport SAE a 40:02
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