The 5th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2013 was a flat stage with only two small 4th category clombs. The last kilometers towards the finish weren't completely flat either though and John Degenkolb was thus the big favourite for this stage. The German rider of the Team Argos-Shimano lived up to the expectations because, despite a crash in the last turn, he won the stage as if it was created for him!
The summary of the 5th stage of the Tour of Italy 2013: Cosenza > Matera
The 5th stage of this Giro d'Italia 2013 was a 203 kilometer long stage, flat with only two 4th category climbs. The first climb was in the first 50 kilometers in Cipolletto and the climb of Montescaglioso at about twenty kilometers from the finish was the second. To get to the finish, the riders had to go a bit uphill as well however.
For a finish like this, John Degenkolb (Team Argos-Shimano) was thus the big favourite, with his sprinters qualities while still being able to get over some climbs.
After 3 kilometers in the race today's breakaway was formed with Thomas Gil (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela), Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox), Alan Marangoni (Cannondale Pro Cycling), Ricardo Mestre (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Brian Bulgac (Lotto-Belisol) and Rafael Andriato (Vini Fantini-Selle Italia) and they quickly created a gap which was already above 9 minutes before they got on the summit of the first climb.
While Stefano Pirazzi arrives first on top of the climb of Cipolletto, the Italian rider has a problem with his bike and he thus loses his place in the breakaway. Pablo Urtasun (Euskaltel-Euskadi) also has problems, following his crash in the first stage, and he leaves the roads of the Giro d'Italia 2013.
On the flat part of the stage there's not much to mention, maybe just that the peloton tries to get back on the breakaway, with the Katusha team of pink jersey Luca Paolini and with the sprinters teams leading the peloton. In the mean time, Rafael Andriato wins the two intermediate sprints, in Villapiana Lido and in Rocca Imperiale, both ahead of Alan Marangoni.
At 40 kilometers from the finish the gap is down to 2'45" and in the second climb the leading group is taken back by the peloton. Several riders try to get away but only Hubert Dupont (AG2R La Mondiale) really manages to do so. His attempt doesn't last long however because the French rider is caught back by the peloton even before he arrives on top of the climb and Stefano Pirazzi takes the points for the King of the Mountains classification.
Just before the finish lots of rain fell down on the city of Matera and when the peloton goes off full speed towards the finish, a left turn and more importantly the white lines of a road crossing leads to a big crash, leaving a big part of the peloton behind.
Only some riders pass the crash without any delay and Marco Canola (Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox) then goes off solo on the long straight line, slightly uphill, towards the finish line. John Degenkolb (Team Argos-Shimano) lives up to the expectations however and gets back on the Italian rider and thus wins this 5th stage.
The classifications after the 5th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2013
The stage classification for the 5th stage of the Tour of Italy 2013: Cosenza > Matera
Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) is still 6th with the same time as Hesjedal.
Points classification and King of the Mountains classification
With his stage victory, John Degenkolb (Team Argos-Shimano) enters the points classification at the second place, with 30 points, behind Luca Paolini (Katusha) who still has 35. Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) is 3rd, also with 30 points.
In the King of the Mountains classification, Stefano Pirazzi does the same thing thanks to the points he took in the breakaway and the Italian rider is now at the second position with 11 points, 3 less than Giovanni Visconti (Movistar Team) who keeps the blue leader's jersey of this classification for now.
Best young riders classification
The classification of the best young riders don't show any changes in the top 5:
1/ Fabio Aru (Astana) - 19h57'54"
2/ Rafal Majka (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) - +0'19"
3/ Carlos Betancur (AG2R La Mondiale) - +0'26"
4/ Wilco Kelderman (Blanco Pro Cycling Team) - +1'06"
5/ Diego Rosa (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela) - +1'09"
A video summary of the stage
Here you can find a video summary of this stage:
by Thomas Vergouwen
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