Michele Scarponi took victory in the final stage of the Giro di Sardegna, ahead of Jose Rodolfo Serpa Perez, Damiano Cunego and Peter Sagan. Sagan's fourth place was enough to give him the overall victory. The outcome over the 175 kilometers from Oristano to Gesturi was quite close, as Sagan lost eight seconds to stage winner Scarponi and eight seconds to second-placed Perez - giving Sagan the overall by a mere three seconds.
Sagan was not too worried about the attacks in the end. "When they went off in the finale, I kept my cool," he said. "I was sure I could keep the gap under control. I could feel the tiredness of the previous stages in my legs and increasing the pace would have been risky."
It was certainly a close affair on the five-kilometer ascent where Lampre and Perez threw everything at the Slovakian. Perez was just 17 seconds behind on GC, with the second place yielding him six bonus seconds.
Sagan also relied on his strong squadra. "Once again the team was fantastic. Nibali and Capecchi took me up to the finish, and prevented Serpa from gaining those few seconds he needed to pass me."
Sagan gained his time through bonus seconds for his three stage wins. "Yesterday's victory turned out to be fundamental," he said. "Securing this win was hard work, also because there was never a 'calm' day. In addition to bringing me great joy, the Giro di Sardegna has proved to be excellent training in view of my main goal of the season - producing an immense performance at Paris-Nice." The French stage race starts March 6. "I feel like I'm in good form and I hope these successes are just the beginning."
Sagan's win gave Liquigas the third consecutive victory in the race, after Roman Kreuziger (2010) and Daniele Bennati (2009).
Scarponi, riding for Lampre now, thanked his new teammates for their efforts. "They were fundamental for this victory." He had special help from a strong sprinter. "Petacchi was exceptional. He guided me the whole stage and helped me take a good position to better start the final ascent."
The team was hoping for Cunego to take the overall. "The intention was to put on a tough pace on the climb, to try to bring Sagan in difficulty." The plan did not quite work. "I received a victory, but Sagan managed to defend himself."
It was a good and unexpected start for Scarponi with Lampre. "I did not expect to get such a prestigious win, but obviously I am very happy."
The break of the day went clear after only 20 kilometers, with Evgeny Petrov (Astana), Yaroslav Popovych (Team RadioShack), Mikhail Ignatiev (Katusha), Pasquale Muto (Miche Guerciotti), Ben Swift (Sky) and Pier Paolo De Negri (Farnese Vini Neri Sottoli). They had a maximum gap of 5'20 at kilometer 85ut were caught 16 kilometers from the line.
Results stage five
1. SCARPONI Michele LAM 4h24'40"
2. SERPA PEREZ Jose Rodolfo AND 03"
3. CUNEGO Damiano LAM 08"
4. SAGAN Peter LIQ 11"
5. SELLA Emanuele AND 14"
6. KISERLOVSKI Robert AST 14"
7. PIRAZZI Stefano COG 21"
8. HERMANS Ben RSH 21"
9. BRUTT Pavel KAT 25"
10. CAPECCHI Eros LIQ 34"
Final overall
1. SAGAN Peter LIQ 22h28'24"
2. SERPA PEREZ Jose Rodolfo AND 03"
3. CUNEGO Damiano LAM 07" 66
4. SCARPONI Michele LAM 18"
5. SELLA Emanuele AND 32"
6. HERMANS Ben RSH 43"
7. KISERLOVSKI Robert AST 47"
8. BRUTT Pavel KAT 57"
9. CAPECCHI Eros LIQ 01'02"
10. MIHOLJEVIC Vladimir ASA 01'26"
11. VICIOSO ARCOS Angel AND 01'34"
12. NOE Andrea FAR 01'53"
13. SANTAMBROGIO Mauro BMC 01'55"
14. DI LUCA Danilo KAT 02'02"
15. SANTAROMITA Ivan BMC 02'06"