Nairo sharpens his knife
19 September 2013

Tour of Britain (st. 5)

Colombian rider leads Movistar Team with two attacks into final climbs of Caerphilly Mountain, shows his great condition before Friday's hilltop finish in Haytor. Madrazo increases KOM lead

With just four riders available after this morning’s abandonment by José José Joaquín Rojas, feeling sick before the start and also during the race -thus advised to stop riding-, the Movistar Team riders present at the Tour of Britain still fought at the fore during a demanding stage five, with 177km from Machynlleth to Caerphilly including four Cat-1 cotes and a really demanding final circuit. The two opening ascents were climbed in first position by Ángel Madrazo, who made his third appearance in the early breaks and prepared the road for the telephone squad, which set Alex Dowsett at the front of the bunch in the approach to the first of two climbs towards Caerphilly Mountain (Cat-1), just over 2k with slopes constantly over 10%.

During the first passage, Nairo Quintana launched an attack which was followed only by Italian Francesco Bongiorno (BAR), the two starting a short run caught with 9k remaining; it was later, into the second ascent, when the Colombian put more strength and had better collaboration at the side of Dan Martin (GRS) and Pardilla (MTN). However, that attempt was caught again with 2km to go, a field sprint coming across the line with Irish Sam Bennett (SKT) on top. The day suiting Nairo the best should come on Friday, with the hilltop finish in Haytor (Cat-1) after just 137km starting at Sidmouth.

Foto (c): Tour of Britain 2013 – Larry Hickmott