Ben Swift wins Tour of the Basque Country stage five

Yorkshireman Ben Swift (Team Sky) takes uphill sprint on stage five of Tour of the Basque country to continue his rich vein of form

Ben Swift wins stage fiveof the 2014 Tour of the Basque Country
Ben Swift wins stage fiveof the 2014 Tour of the Basque Country
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Ben Swift (Team Sky) continued his rich vein of form with victory on the hilly fifth stage of the Tour of the Basque Country on Friday.

The 26 year-old Yorkshireman made a select group of 22 riders at the end of a typically lumpy stage in Spain before pipping Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) to the line in Xemein.

Such a result against strong opposition continues Swift's sensational start to the season, coming hot on the heels of a stage win at the Settimana Coppi e Bartali and third at Milan-San Remo.

Swift's win also took him to the top of the points classification leaderboard, while Simon Yates (Orica-GreenEdge) finished 16th on the stage to keep 15th overall.

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) finished ninth on the stage to keep hold of the race lead with one stage, a 25.9km time trial, remaining on Saturday.

Ben Swift wins stage five of the 2014 Tour of the Basque Country

Ben Swift's second trip to the top of the podium in 2014
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Bob Jungels and Michael Albasini lead an escape on stage five of the 2014 Tour of the Basque Country

Bob Jungels and Michael Albasini lead an escape on stage five of the 2014 Tour of the Basque Country
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Philippe Gilbert on the attack, Tour of the Basque Country 2014 stage five

Philippe Gilbert on the attack, Tour of the Basque Country 2014 stage five
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Peter Weening attacks on stage five of the 2014 Tour of the Basque Country

Peter Weening attacks on stage five of the 2014 Tour of the Basque Country
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Ben Swift wins stage fiveof the 2014 Tour of the Basque Country

Ben Swift wins stage five of the 2014 Tour of the Basque Country
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Results

Tour of the Basque Country 2014, stage five: Eibar to Xemein, 160.2km

1. Ben Swift (GBr) Team Sky in 3-56-56

2. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movisar

3. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quickstep

4. Tom Jelte Slagter (Ned) Garmin-Sharp

5. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Merida

6. Cyril Gautier (Fra) Europcar

7. Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Belkin

8. Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale

9. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo

10. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC all at s.t.

Others

16. Simon Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge at s.t.

39. Adam Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge at 4-39

120. Josh Edmondson (GBr) at 18-09

Overall standings after stage five

1. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo in 20-30-31

2. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movisar at 12 secs

3. Damiano Cungeo (Ita) Lampre-Merida at 36 secs

4. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC

5. Jean Christophe Peraud (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale all at s.t.

Others

15. Simon Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge at 1-37

Ben Swift wins opening stage of Settimana Coppi e Bartali

Rotherham sprinter Ben Swift follows podium spot in Milan-San Remo with win in Italian stage race

Ben Swift celebrating podium spot in his first Milan-San Remo

Ben Swift says he felt 'better and better' as the 300km Milan-San Remo progressed, eventually placing third

Swift reactions: Sky rider reflects on return from injury

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Richard Abraham is an award-winning writer, based in New Zealand. He has reported from major sporting events including the Tour de France and Olympic Games, and is also a part-time travel guide who has delivered luxury cycle tours and events across Europe. In 2019 he was awarded Writer of the Year at the PPA Awards.