Tinkoff-Saxo’s Alberto Contador finished fifth on the queen stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. A GC-battle unfolded in the whiteout on the Apennine climb to Terminillo, where Nairo Quintana proved the fastest after breaking free with a surprise attack. Contador now sits 5th overall, with teammate Kreuziger in 11th place.

After the stage, Tinkoff-Saxo team manager Bjarne Riis told that, despite giving his best, Contador lacked the last few percentages on the climb to Terminillo.

“I think we did it as well as we could. Alberto tried his best but wasn’t quite there. He tried to make the selection several times attacking from the group behind Quintana, but he was not at his level. On the final climb, we pulled at the front and Basso did a good job, also Kreuziger who crossed the line a few seconds behind the group with Contador”, commented Bjarne Riis.  

Warm clothing was a must on stage 5 of Tirreno-Adriatico with the temperatures dropping below zero in the mountain, while the snow-capped final climb to Terminillo presented the riders with a total whiteout with visibility around 100 meters. With five kilometers to go on the final climb, Nairo Quintana made the decisive attack and took the win in front of Bauke Mollema, while Alberto Contador came in fifth with the first chasing group.

After crossing the finish line, Alberto Contador said:

“The fact the finish was at the top of the climb meant it wasn't much more difficult to reach it. I don't like making excuses. Yesterday was a tough day due to my crash. Today, we performed quite well overall even though at the end we didn't finish further ahead”.

“Quintana's attack caught me a bit further behind in the group and I couldn’t react instantly. Everybody had eyes on me today and I was unable to limit the losses to Quintana, as there was nobody that wanted to pull at the front”, concluded Alberto Contador.

Tomorrow’s 210 km stage to Porto Sant’Elpidio features a 210km parcours, where the sprinters once again will come to the fore in an attempt to conquer the stage win.