Sky's Wout Poels wins Tour of Britain stage five as Boasson Hagen claims overall lead
Dutchman pipped Edvald Boasson Hagen to the line on the race's only summit finish but sits one second behind on GC
Wout Poels (Team Sky) took the stage on the Tour of Britain's one and only summit finish to Hartside Fell, but saw the overall lead taken by Edvald Boasson Hagen (MTN-Qhubeka), who he beat to the line in Cumbria.
The Dutchman had been the most attacking rider on the climb after a reduced group formed as the peloton started the climb with 7.8km to go.
>>> Amateur holds off professionals to cling on to Tour of Britain Strava segment
Ruben Zepunkte (Cannondale-Garmin) was the first to make an attack in earnest, as the main bunch split to pieces, but saw the likes of Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky), Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) as well as Poels chase him down.
Kruijswijk was the next to attack, which saw Kennaugh dropped and other riders struggle to hold the pace. Movistar riders Ruben Fernandez and Beñat Intxausti also made into the group behind Kruijswijk, as did GB pair Alex Peters and Tao Geoghagen Hart.
Watch: Why pro riders love the Tour of Britain
Poels then attacked to bridge the gap to his compatriot as Boasson Hagen made his way to the group, but there was disaster for the young GB riders as a touch of wheels saw Geoghagen Hart hit the deck with Peters stuck behind.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
After more attacks eventually the front group settled into a foursome, with Intxausti joining Boasson Hagen and the Dutch pair in the lead with a fierce headwind blowing on Hartside.
Poels made several moves with around 2km remaining, but was brought back before the Norwegian champion Boasson Hagen went solo with 1.1km to go.
And it looked as though the MTN would make it to the finish, but Poels hung on and caught Boasson Hagen with 150m to go before attacking and taking the stage victory.
Boasson Hagen's five second advantage over Poels at the start of the day means that he moves into the leader's yellow jersey, with overall leader Juan José Lobato unable to stick the pace on the climb.
The day had been dominated by Conor Dunne (An-Post - ChainReaction), Mark McNally (Madison-Genesis), Michael Morkov (Tinkoff-Saxo), Pete Williams (ONE) and Morgan Kneisky (Raleigh), who stretched out a maximum gap of about four minutes but never looked likely to hold on.
The gap dwindled for sometime at under a minute, and the break were finally caught with 9.9km to go, just before the action kicked-off on the climb.
Stage six of the week-long tour will see the riders take on an undulating 192.7km course from Stoke-on-Trent to Nottingham, on a day which could be for the breakaway.
Results
Tour of Britain 2015, stage five: Prudhoe to Hartside (164km)
1. Wout Poels (Ned) Team Sky, in 4-12-22
2. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) MTN-Qhubeka, at 2 secs
3. Benat Intxausti (Esp) Movistar, at 17 secs
4. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Etixx - Quick-Step, at 18 secs
5. Rasmus Guldhammer (Den) Cult Energy
6. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo
7. Xandro Meurisse (Bel) An-Post - ChainReaction
8. Chris Anker Sorensen (Den) Tinkoff-Saxo
9. Ruben Fernandez (Esp) Movistar
10. Dylan Teuns (Bel) BMC, all same time
Overall classification after stage five
1. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) MTN-Qhubeka, in 23-02-36
2. Wout Poels (Ned) Team Sky, at 1 sec
3. Rasmus Guldhammer (Den) Cult Energy, at 30 secs
4. Benat Intxausti (Esp) Movistar, at 33 secs
5. Owain Doull (GBr) Team Wiggins, at 37 secs
6. Dylan Teuns (Bel) BMC, at 38 secs
7. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Etixx - Quick-Step
8. Ruben Fernandez (Esp) Movistar
9. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo
10. Chris Anker Sorensen (Den) Tinkoff-Saxo, all same time
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
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Has cycling's most affordable pro bike brand just launched its aero machine?
Van Rysel set to equip Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale with new RCR-F in 2025
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Even if you ride a lot, here's why you shouldn't skip leg day at the gym
Think your legs get enough exercise? A little gym time can unlock big strength and performance gains.
By Greg Kaplan Published
-
Tom Pidcock signs for Q36.5 Pro Cycling after Ineos Grenadiers departure
Olympic MTB champion hails 'start of something special' in three-year deal
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure
'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We've had a difficult year, I've had a difficult year' - Tom Pidcock hints at Ineos Grenadiers tension
Speaking at Rouleur Live, the 25-year-old also revealed that he hasn't enjoyed racing at the last two Tours de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers to partner with German development team for 2025
Ineos set to partner with German Continental squad Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank as an official development partner
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?
After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since June
Announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I never thought I'd really leave the team': Luke Rowe opens up on his reasons for departing Ineos Grenadiers
Welsh road captain is heading to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale to become a sports director
By Adam Becket Published