The American Garmin-Transitions team continued their late season success today, this time with Jack Bobridge soloing across the line to win stage five of the Eneco Tour, the biggest of his young career and his first victory on the road for the team. The 21 year old was followed 4 seconds later by former breakaway companions Ruben Perez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Thomas de Gendt (Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator), who finished the day second and third respectively. HTC-Columbia's Tony Martin retained his overall lead, which remains at 10 seconds over Koos Moerenhout (Rabobank).
It took 33 kilometers of the 208 kilometer stage from Roermond to Sittard for an escape to form. The move included the race podium Bobridge, Perez and de Gendt, as well as Mauro Da Dalto (Lampre-Farnese Vini), Kenny Dehaes (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Maxim Gourov (Astana), Gorik Gardeyn (Vacansoleil), Yauheni Hutarovich (Francaise des Jeux), Kevin Hulsmans (Quick Step), Domenik Nerz (Milram) and Michael Van Staeyen (Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator). The peloton kept the break in check, and never allowed the fugitives to gain more the 4 minutes advantage.
The gap to the front group narrowed to 30 seconds after a strong effort by Team Sky's Edvald Boasson Hagen, but his acceleration up the Fromberg wasn't enough, and only managed to further slim down the chase. The trio of Dehaene, Hulsmans and Hutarovich tried to ride to the finish alone, but the second group on the road reeled them back in, and managed to open up the gap of more than 2 minutes on the main group.
On the second ascent of the Cauberg with 50 kilometers left to race, Saxo Bank's Richie Porte and Rabobank's Lars Boom tried to break free, but their attempt was short lived while Dehaes lost contact with the leaders. With the advantage to the break reaching the three minute mark the peloton began to focus on reeling them back in as rain began to fall. By the time the peloton crossed the finish line to mark the final lap of the finishing circuit, there were 21 kilometers remaining, and the gap was less than 2 minutes.
The 18 climbs on the day's route were taking their toll on the riders, with Dalto the next to drop from the front. He dangled in no man's land with just over 10 kilometers remaining, but with the Skil-Shimano team and Omega Pharma-Lotto leading the chase he couldn't hold the peloton off. HTC-Columbia sprinter André Greipel also took part in the chase to help defend the lead of teammate Martin, as attacks in the front group began to erode their lead.
With only a handful of kilometers left the gap was down to 30 seconds and, with 2 kilometers to go, Bobridge saw his opportunity and attacked his companions to establish a small gap. Milram's Nerz tried to take up the chase, but giving the time trial specialist and team pursuit world champion some daylight proved to be a grave mistake, and he powered away in the closing meters to secure his first ProTour win.
2010 Eneco Tour stage 5 results:
1. Jack Bobridge (Garmin-Transitions)
2. Rubén Pérez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) @ 4s
3. Thomas de Gendt (Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator) s.t.
4. Michael Van Staeyen (Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator) s.t.
5. Gorik Gardeyn (Vacansoleil) s.t.
6. Domenik Nerz (Milram) @ 8s
7. Gert Steegmans (RadioShack) @ 15s
8. Borut Bozic (Vacansoleil) s.t.
9. Sebastian Haedo (Saxo Bank) s.t.
10. Sergey Lagutin (Vacansoleil) s.t.
General classification after stage 5:
1. Tony Martin (HTC-Columbia) 23h 18m 10s
2. Koos Moerenhout (Rabobank) @ 10s
3. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky) @ 1m 24s
4. Svein Tuft (Garmin-Transitions)
5. Lars Boom (Rabobank) @ 1m 32s
6. Richie Porte (Saxo Bank) @ 1m 35s
7. Dominique Cornu (Skil-Shimano) @ 1m 39s
8. Jurgen Roelandts (Omega Pharma-Lotto) 1m 42s
9. Andreas Klöden (RadioShack) 1m 43s
10. Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Doimo)