Colombian Nairo Quintana (Movistar) took the overall win in the 2016 Tour de Romandie in Switzerland on Sunday, with Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEdge) winning the final stage.
On another cold and blustery day, Albasini was one of four surviving riders from the day’s break, along with Carlos Verona (Etixx-QuickStep), Andrey Amador (Movistar) and Wilco Kelderman (LottoNL-Jumbo), all of whom he comfortably out-sprinted in the rush to the finish line.
Michael Albasini wins stage five of the Tour de Romandie
The quartet had endured a scare moments earlier, however, when Tom Bohli (BMC) appeared from seemingly nowhere having attacked out of the peloton to catch and pass them. But Albasini managed to latch onto his wheel a handful of seconds later, using him as a lead-out for his sprint, whilst also managing to hold-off the onrushing peloton behind.
>>> Chris Froome takes breakaway victory on Tour de Romandie stage four
Bohli had capitalised on a crash in the peloton that disrupted its chase. Riders crossed the line in dribs and drabs, including race leader Quintana, but as the incident occurred in the final 3km each rider was given the same time.
Yesterday’s winner Chris Froome (Sky) had formed part of an original 10-man group, which featured the aforementioned four riders as well as Romain Bardet (Ag2r), Jerome Coppel (IAM Cycling), Moreno Moser (Cannondale) and Tsgabu Grmay (Lampre-Merida), as well as Sander Armee (Lotto-Soudal), who picked up enough points to wrap up the King of the Mountains competition. Froome earned the combativity award for his efforts.
Chris Froome in the escape group on stage five of the 2016 Tour de Romandie
The calibre of riders helped them fend off the bunch, although none were a threat to the GC. Verona then attacked with 16km to go to force the split in the break, with the second group containing Froome soon slipping back into the peloton.
Despite a turn from the two-time Tour de France champion at the front of the bunch for teammate Ben Swift, the peloton could not quite catch the remaining four riders in time, and Albasini was left to sprint for victory.
Watch: Top WorldTour contenders for 2016
Tour de Romandie 2016 results
Stage five: Ollon to Genève, 177.4km
1. Michael Albasini (Swi) Orica-GreenEdge
2. Andrey Amador (Crc) Movistar
3. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo
4. Niccolo Bonifazio (Ita) Trek-Segafredo
5. Moreno Hofland (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo
6. Kristian Sbaragli (Ita) Dimension Data
7. Daryl Impey (RSA) Orica-GreenEdge
8. Tom Bohli (Swi) BMC Racing
9. Carlos Verona (Spa) Etixx-QuickStep
10. Jarlinson Pantano (Col) IAM Cycling at same time
Final overall classification
1. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar
2. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ at 19 secs
3. Jon Izagirre (Spa) Movistar at 23 secs
4. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha at 26 secs
5. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Giant-Alpecin at 57 secs
6. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre-Merida at 1-12
7. Simon Spilak (Slo) Katusha at 1-16
8. Mathias Frank (Swi) IAM Cycling at 1-16
9. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo at 1-24
10. Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing at 1-17
