Simon Wins Volta Catalunya Fifth Stage

Last updated : 24 March 2012 By Kev Monks

Saur Sojurn's Julian Simon won the Volta Catalunya fifth stage this afternoon

Stage five was from Ascó, where yesterday's stage finished to Manresa and was 207.1km long.

Eight riders in Bardet, Silin, Frank, Pineau, Lancaster, Bono, Quintana, Pieres, Moncoutie and Di Gregorio got away early but were pulled back at the 68kms mark.

Kohler, Belkov, Golas, Marczynski, Simón and Jeandesboz took over at the front before they too were caught.

Polish champion Marczynski stayed out and was joined by Frank , Vandewalle, Soerensen, Garcia and Edet as the race entered the Barcelona region.

As Bruce Filleu and Stephane Poulhies abandoned, a good while after Ireland's Nicholas Roche had retired. the leaders had a 23 second lead.

Race Leader Michael Albasini managed to get himself into a large group with the likes of Levi Leipheimer (Omega Pharma-Quick Step),  Damiano Cunego (Lampre) and Ireland and BMC rider Dan Martin.

Sammy Sanchez went away with 12kms to go but he was caught and Levi Leipheimer tried to claw his way not only to win the stage but into the leader's white jersey. However, Albasini stuck with him and the American gave up with a kilometre to go and it was Julian Simon who took the sprint ahead of Team Sky's Rigoberto Uran and Szmyd in a time of 4:58:27.

Dan Martin finished ninth and Albasini keeps his leaders jersey with Martin third.