'I like to win big races... that's why I'm here' – Jonas Vingegaard solos to summit win on Volta a Catalunya stage 5
The Dane took the GC lead after an impressive attack, as Remco Evenepoel slips down the standings
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Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) rode all of his rivals off his wheel to take an imperious summit victory on stage five of the Volta a Cataluyna.
On what was a big day in the mountains, with 4,500m of vertical ascent, Vingegaard attacked with 6.5km of the final climb – the Col de Pall. Initially he dragged a handful of GC contenders with him, but they were distanced 500m later when the Dane turned on the afterburners.
Big loser of the day was Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe), who was distanced by Vingegaard and those who followed him.
Article continues belowSpeaking to the media afterwards, Vingegaard said: "It was quite a hard stage. We had a plan from the morning. I didn't feel the very very best in the beginning but on the last climb I felt very very good. My team did incredible. We had Davide [Piganzoli] in the breakaway so we didn't have to follow all day and then Sepp [Kuss] took over, and he made the difference for me in the end."
He said he was not expecting to make such a difference over his rivals, but because he felt so strong on the Col de Pall it allowed him to. "I'm really happy with the gap I made today," he said.
Asked whether Cataluyna would serve chiefly as preparation for other events later in the season – presumably such as the Giro d'Italia or the Tour de France, he said: "No… it's a big race. I like to do big races, I like to win big races, and that's why I'm here also. And of course it's good preparation for what's coming up later in the season.
As for stage six, another mountain day, he said: "I'll not rule it out that we go for another stage. But we have to recover and see how we feel tomorrow. Of course, there are a lot of other riders in the bunch."
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It was the first stage win of the race for Vingegaard, who began the day in fourth place overall at 24 seconds. Erstwhile leader Dorian Godon (Ineos Grenadiers) was dropped early on the final climb and finished well down.
More to follow...
After cutting his teeth on local and national newspapers, James began at Cycling Weekly as a sub-editor in 2000 when the current office was literally all fields.
Eventually becoming chief sub-editor, in 2016 he switched to the job of full-time writer, and covers news, racing and features.
He has worked at a variety of races, from the Classics to the Giro d'Italia – and this year will be his seventh Tour de France.
A lifelong cyclist and cycling fan, James's racing days (and most of his fitness) are now behind him. But he still rides regularly, both on the road and on the gravelly stuff.
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