For the third time this Giro Lotto Belisol was represented in the break. This time even with two riders, thanks to Kenny Dehaes and Tosh Van der Sande. The fifth stage went from Taranto to Viggiano, good for a distance of 203 kilometers.

 

After three kilometers a front group of eleven was formed. The Lotto Belisol duo had company of other fast men like Tyler Farrar, Ben Swift and Elia Viviani. At the intermediate sprint, after 70 kilometers, they reached their maximal lead of 5'13".

 

Over halfway the advantage had gone down to less than four minutes. The peloton clearly kept control of the situation. Dehaes and Van der Sande both tried to keep the break alive and kicking with several attempts.

 

At 27 kilometers from the finish, when the gap was about one minute, van der Sande succeeded in taking off with Frapporti, Monsalve and Thurau. Van der Sande was the penultimate rider to be caught by the bunch at less than 15 kilometers from the end. Thurau survived the longest, but not long after van der Sande he got reeled in as well on the fourth category climb where the finish was.

 

Next there was one local lap. In the descent Brambilla attacked, but it was a group of 29 riders that sprinted for the victory, with Maxime Monfort and Tim Wellens in it. Diego Ulissi was the fastest, before Cadel Evans and Julián Arredondo. Michael Matthews keeps the pink jersey.

 

"First a group of four took off, with Kenny," vam der Sande said. "Next I could join them with six others. We had to fight half an hour to create a sufficient gap. That cost much power for most of us. Besides there was a lot of headwind.

 

"The sprinters in our group were only there to take points at the intermediate sprint I guess. Afterwards the vibe was away. A pity, because I had a good feeling. This wasn't the ideal composition for a break. Of course it was a stage of about 200 kilometers and not of for example 160 and that is a difference.
 

"Kenny and I tried to keep the pace in the group so a new boost would be created, but that wasn't the case. We did several attempts and put the team in the picture.

 

"Since the training camp I have a good feeling about my condition. The whole season I've been riding on a constant level. But now it's time for a peak. I definitely will aim for it in this Giro. There will be more chances, for example if we get to the finish with a small group.

 

"Last year's Vuelta was my first Grand Tour ever, I finished it. I came out as a different rider; I definitely put a step forward in my evolution then. I'm also confident about this Giro. The last days are very tough. If you get ill, that can be fatal. But we look at it day by day and if I stay healthy I should definitely make it to the end."