The 5th stage of the Itzulia Basque Country, uphill to Arrate, reshuffled the top of the general classification, with Dan Martin moving up to 4th place overall and his UAE Team Emirates team mate Tadej Pogačar moving into the top 10.
The demanding stage with six climbs, including the final one towards Arrate, was won by Emanuel Buchmann (Bora-Hansgrohe), finishing 1’08” ahead of three riders – Ion Izaguirre (Astana), Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) and Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) and 1’24” ahead of the next group including Martin.
Buchmann built his victory with an attack after 120 kilometres of racing, an action that UAE Team’s Colombian Sergio Sergio Henao joined, in addition to Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) and Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana). Less than 10 kilometres from the finish line, the Bora-Hansgrohe rider rode free of his escape companions towards the stage success and the overall race leadership.
Dan Martin was dropped from the group with Izagirre, Yates and Fuglsang on the Arrate climb, but found team-mate Pogačar a valuable ally with the pair limiting their losses. Martin now sits 1’32” behind Buchmann.
The 6th stage, 118.2 kilometres with a start and finish in Eibar, will end the Itzulia Basque Country. The riders face three 3rd category climbs, a 2nd category climb, and two 1st category climbs, with the last ascent (500 metres at 10%) located 4 kilometres from the finish line.
UAE Team Emirates Sports director Neil Stephens said: “It was a good day for the UAE Team Emirates. We were able to count on Henao, Martin, Pogačar and Ulissi in the leading group and with Sergio, we went into action, seeking stage success and offering a foothold for our other riders.
“Unfortunately, Buchmann proved to be on a great day, but we can be satisfied for bringing Martin to the 4th position in the standings and for having climbed in the team ranking, in which we are now second. All the riders of the team are giving good signs, this leaves us optimistic also for the last stage.”
Stage 5 results
1 Emanuel Buchmann (Ger) Bora-hansgrohe 3h44’14”
2 Ion Izagirre (Esp) Astana 1’08”
3 Adam Yates (GBr) Mitchelton-Scott s.t.
4 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana Pro Team s.t.
5 Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 1’24”
6 Daniel Martin (Irl) UAE Team Emirates s.t.
General classification after stage 5
1 Emanuel Buchmann (Ger) Bora-hansgrohe 16h23’30”
2 Ion Izagirre (Esp) Astana 54″
3 Maximilian Schachmann (Ger) 1’04”
4 Daniel Martin (Irl) UAE Team Emirates 1’32”
