John Degenkolb avoids crash to win Giro d'Italia stage five

John Degenkolb (Argos-Shimano) won stage five of the 2013 Giro d'Italia on Wednesday after a large crash in the final two kilometres held up the majority of the peloton.

Angel Vicioso (Katusha) came home in second, with Paul Martens (Blanco) in third.

It was one of Degenkolb's Argos-Shimano lead-out men, Luka Mezgec, that initially caused the pile-up, his wheels slipping on one of the rain-soaked, tight corners near the finish. As the bunch behind him were forced to slam on their brakes, several more riders found themselves on the tarmac.

Several of the pure sprinters had already been distanced on the day's final categorised climb of Montescaglioso, including Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) and Matt Goss (Orica-GreenEdge).

Five riders spent much of the day out front: Rafael Andriato (Vini Fantini), Brian Bulgac (Lotto-Belisol), Tomas Gil (Androni), Alan Marangoni (Cannondale) and Ricardo Mestre (Euskaltel). Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani Valvole) was also part of the original escape, but sat up after the day's first categorised climb. The remainder of the break were caught well before the finish.

Luca Paolini (Katsuha) safely kept hold of the pink jersey of general classification leader with no major changes overall. The Italian leads Rigoberto Uran (Sky) by 17 seconds, with Benat Intxausti (Movistar) in third at 26 seconds.

Although initially published results showed Bradley Wiggins (Sky) out of the top ten, a revised list was later produced giving all those held up in the crash the same time as the stage winner. The upshot was that Wiggins maintained his sixth place overall, 34 seconds adrift of Paolini.

Pablo Urtasun (Euskaltel-Euskadi) withdrew during the stage, still suffering from injuries sustained after a crash on the opening day.

On Thursday, the rider tackle an almost pan-flat stage from Mola di Bari to Margherita di Savoia, which should end up with a bunch sprint - one for Cavendish this time. Stage six preview, map and profile>>

Re-read our live text coverage of stage five as it happened>>

Results

Giro d'Italia 2013, stage five: Cosenza to Matera, 203km

1. John Degenkolb (Ger) Argos-Shimano in 4-37-48

2. Angel Vicioso (Spa) Katusha

3. Paul Martens (Ger) Blanco

4. Sergio Henao (Col) Sky

5. Matteo Trentin (Ita) Omega Pharma-QuickStep

6. Jarlinson Pantano (Col) Colombia

7. Daniel Oss (Ita) BMC Racing

8. Jens Keukeleire (Bel) Orica-GreenEdge

9. Grega Bole (Slo) Vacansoleil-DCM

10. Tanel Kangert (Est) Astana all same time

Overall classification after stage five

1. Luca Paolini (Ita) Katusha in 19-56-51

2. Rigoberto Uran (Col) Sky at 17 secs

3. Benat Intxausti (Spa) Movistar at 26 secs

4. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana at 31 secs

5. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Sharp at 34 secs

6. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky at same time

7. Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Katusha at 36 secs

8. Sergio Henao (Col) Sky at 37 secs

9. Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Vini Fantini at 39 secs

10. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing at 42 secs

Luca Paolini keeps the race lead

John Degenkolb takes the sprint from a seriously depleted bunch

Giro d'Italia 2013: Previews and race info

Giro d'Italia 2013: British TV schedule

Giro 2013: 10 things you need to know

Giro d'Italia 2013: The Big Preview

Giro d'Italia 2013: Stage reports

Stage four: Battaglin sprints to first Giro stage win

Stage three: Paolini takes charge

Stage two: Sky wins team time trial

Stage one: Cavendish wins opener

Giro d'Italia 2013: Photo galleries

Photos by Graham Watson

Stage five gallery

Stage four gallery

Stage three gallery

Stage two gallery

Stage one gallery

Team presentation gallery