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The Italians on the Tour de France spots: first Cheula's breakaway, then Pozzato's regal sprint
Filippo Pozzato was tipped by many to be the favourite for today's stage, from Chablis to Autun, and Italian rider didn't fail the chance to win his first stage in 94th Tour de France, his second in career at the Grande Boucle.
Pozzato prevailed on Freire and Bennati with a truly surprising sprinter effort. Fabian Cancellara rode smartly, and was able to maintain the yellow jersey despite several climbs and difficulties on the way to Autun.
Team Barloworld riders were protagonists in this stage: Giampaolo Cheula joined Chavanel (Cofidis), Bonnet (Credit Agricole) and Gilbert (FDJ) in the long breakaway that animated the race from the first kilometres. Teams like Gerolsteiner and Caisse d'Epargne didn't want to miss the chance to compete for the win, the first for riders such as Schumacher and Valverde, and made a strong push to reduce the advantage. The escapees were caught back with only the last of the eight hills to climb, despite the strong effort in particular by Chavanel and Italian Giampaolo Cheula, who really tried to put the mark on his first Tour de France participation. A couple of attacks couldn't avoid the final sprint, even if a restricted one. Team Barloworld Robert Hunter, one of the main protagonist of the last stages' sprints, held on until the last climb, when he finally had to give up. He anyway managed to challenge in the intermediate sprints and add some points for the Green Jersey competition.
Moreover, two Team Barloworld riders, Mauricio Soler and Kanstantin Siutsou, were able to get to the finish line in the leading group, while early-favourite Alex Vinokurov was involved in a fall with 25 km to go, losing some time to his strongest rivals. Fortunately, no Team Barloworld riders were involved in the crash.
Tomorrow, it is time for sprinters again: no major difficulties in the sixth stage to Bourg-en-Bresse, and another tight contest for all the Green Jersey competitors.
Stage 5 results:
1. Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) 4.39.01
2. Oscar Freire (Rabobank)
3. Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Fondital)
Team Barloworld Riders:
55. Mauricio Soler (Col)
74. Kanstantin Siutsou (Blr)
123. Paolo Longo Borghini (Ita) 4.57
126. Felix Cardenas (Col)
129. Alexander Efimkin (Rus) 6.45
139. Robert Hunter (Rsa) 7.04
172. Geraint Thomas (Gbr) 11.15
175. Giampaolo Cheula (Ita) 12.14
183. Enrico Degano (Ita) 23.11
(photo) Giampaolo Cheula talking with directeur sportif Valerio Tebaldi during the breakaway
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