07/04/2023

Sergio Higuita takes victory on stage five of the Itzulia Basque Country as Vingegaard retains race lead

Sergio Higuita took victory on stage five of the Itzulia Basque Country, springing a surprise sprint victory from a reduced bunch.

In the roads of Amorebieta, stage five of the Itzulia Basque Country sees another stage suited to the puncheurs who are preparing for the Ardennes classics. With another day full of short and explosive ascents ahead of them, only Soudal - Quick-Step duo Rémi Cavagna and Mattia Cattaneo we allowed up the rode.

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With Team Jayco AlUla on the front of the peloton, ramping up the pace looking to potentialy set up an attack from Simon Yates or Matteo Sobrero, the time gap between the peloton and the leading duo dropped dramatically with both riders being caught before too long.

The intermediate sprint at 17km to go once again saw the general classification riders battle it out for the bonus seconds. Race leader Jonas Vingegaard increased his lead on second placed Mikel Landa by coming third at the intermediate sprint and adding an extra second to the gap.

As the race entered the business end of the stage, INEOS Grenadiers took to the front of the peloton but as the they reached the first of two little kickers, Jonas Vingegaard came to the fore. Enric Mas and Felix Gall each made a move only for the race leader to immediately position himself on their back wheel.

With Vingegaard and Attila Valter shutting every attack down at the front, INEOS were left chasing behind, trying to guide stage one winner Ethan Hayter back into contention.

Sadly for INEOS their efforts were in vain and as Sergio Higuita opened up his sprint he seemed to take the group by surprise and powered all the way to victory ahead of Andrea Bagioli and Mattias Skjelmose.