Double American triumph - Brandon McNulty wins Volta a Comunitat Valenciana as Will Barta suceeds in heroic breakaway on stage 5

Will Barta won the final day of the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana after a successful breakaway. The stage saw several attacks in the main climb of the day, but race leader Brandon McNulty withstood all moves to carry the yellow jersey to the end.

The final day of racing in Valencia had only 92 kilometers in distance and it was set to be an explosive one. Last year it decided the overall classification, so race leader Brandon McNulty knew that there was no chance to relax on a day where a difficult climb could set the race on fire.

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The day's breakaway was formed by Filippo Fiorelli, Will Barta, Joel Nicolau, Xavier Cañellas, Diego Pablo Sevilla and José Maria Garcia. None of these riders were a threat to the overall classification, hence UAE Team Emirates was happy to let the group go. Bahrain - Victorious and BORA - hansgrohe kept the break in check.

In the 5-kilometer ascent at 9.3% which highlighted the day the peloton was split to bits. BORA pushed the pace and Aleksandr Vlasov attacked. Pello Bilbao also made a move in the difficult ascent, but McNulty responded promptly and a small group remained at the summit of the climb. This one grew quickly afterwards.

Movistar's Will Barta in the meantime went solo in the head of the race. The peloton saw a few moves but none were able to make the difference, whilst the American sustained a gap of around a minute with 40 kilometers to go.

Lidl-Trek led a desperate but weakened chase throughout the final kilometers, but it was not enough. Barta had tremendous legs on the day and although the gap was small, he was the first to enter Valencia and to cross the finish line, taking a much needed win for the Spanish team. Jonathan Milan won the sprint for second in the peloton followed by Vito Braet. Brandon McNulty arrived at the finish safely and sealed the overall win. 

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