Classics specialist Marcus Burghardt (BMC Racing) took the victory in stage five of the Tour de Suisse today, in what will be a popular win for local fans by the Swiss-backed team. The German put in a perfectly timed attack with less than 2 kilometers remaining to hold off breakaway companions Martijn Maaskant (Garmin-Transitions) and Daniel Oss (Liquigas), who finished second and third respectively.
"My plan was to look for Maaskant because he was the strongest, but then he went out on the left side and was blocked by Oss," Burghardt said after the stage. "When I saw that, I took the moment and attacked. This is a nice present for (BMC Racing Team Owner) Andy Rihs and the BMC Racing Team to have a victory in Switzerland."
The stage didn't see any changes at the top of the general classification, with HTC-Columbia's Tony Martin maintaining his 1 second advantage over defending champion Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) to keep the yellow jersey.
An escape goes early
The peloton set off from Wettingen on the 172.5 kilometer stage to Frutigen under rainy skies with two categorized climbs in store, including the category three ascent of the Aeschi situated just 10 kilometers from the finish. Just a few kilometers after the stage was underway a group of five that included Burghardt, Oss, Maaskant, Angelo Furlan (Lampre-Farnese Vini) and Javier Aramendia (Euskaltel-Euskadi) were allowed to jump clear of the peloton.
On their way to the category two climb of the Schallenberg the quintet was allowed more than 5 minutes advantage, but by the time they reached the base of the mountain their gap was down to 3 minutes. As the Oss-led breakaway made its way over the mountain, the chase managed to eat away another minute of their advantage.
With 37 kilometers remaining Omega Pharma-Lotto's Gerben Löwik came into a corner too hot and crashed heavily which briefly slowed down the chase. The escapees' gap hovered around the 3 minute mark for the next 10 kilometers, but the Saxo Bank and Katusha teams went to the front and took back 30 seconds by the time they hit the 20 kilometer mark. The advantage to the break was less than two minutes with 15 kilometers remaining - just 5 kilometers before the final climb.
The peloton leaves it too late
The leaders hit the Aeschi slopes with 1 minute and 45 seconds over the RadioShack led peloton. BMC Racing's George Hincapie rode alongside former teammate Lance Armstrong (RadioShack) to discuss the race situation - the American champion presumably lobbying for the American team to let the break go, since his teammate Burghardt was out front.
Furlan was the first to crack in on the climb, with Aramendia next to go leaving three leaders: Burghardt, Oss and Maaskant. The trio maintained a 1 minute and 15 second gap following the descent. With four kilometers remaining the gap was unchanged, with Burghardt making his race-winning move just over two kilometers from the line. Australian Robbie McEwen tested his legs and led the peloton home 45 seconds later.
Tomorrow's 213.3 kilometer stage from Section Meiringen to La Punt is the Queen stage of this year's Tour de Suisse. The day will start directly with the hors category climb of the Sustenpass followed immediately by the category one Andermatt Oberalppass. The undulating terrain will then take the peloton to the 2,315 meter hors category Albula Pass, which will be followed by a rapid 10 kilometer descent to the finish in La Punt.
Tour de Suisse stage 5 results:
1. Marcus Burghardt (Ger) BMC Racing
2. Martijn Maaskant (Ned) Garmin-Transitions @ 1sec
3. Daniel Oss (ITA) Liquigas @ 3sec
5. Robbie McEwen (AUS) Katusha @ 45sec
5. Francesco Gavazzi (ITA) Lampre-Farnese Vini s.t.
General Classification following stage 5:
1. Tony Martin (Ger) HTC-Columbia
2. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank @ 1s
3. Thomas Löfkvist (Swe) Team Sky @ 9s