- Ben Healy of EF Education-EasyPost wins the stage from the breakaway after launching an attack with 56 kilometres to go.
- João Almeida continues to lead the general classification
The Itzulia arrived in Orduña, signalling the start of the fifth stage of this year’s edition. A route less demanding than the previous two days, but featuring narrow roads and constant ups and downs leading to the finish line in Gernika-Lumo. A particularly special stage for Pello Bilbao, who designed part of the route.
The attacks started from the mountain pass of the day, leading to the breakaway, which featured Pello Bilbao (TBV, 31), Bruno Armirail (DAT, 61), Ben Healy (EFE, 91), Alex Baudin (EFE, 94), Warren Barguil (TPP, 111), and Julian Alaphilippe (TUD, 233). A top-tier breakaway.
The race leader held a maximum advantage of 2’45” over the peloton, led by UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The leader’s team maintained control of the gap throughout.
After clearing all the day’s climbs, with 56 kilometres to go, Ben Healy (EFE, 91) launched an attack from the breakaway and quickly opened up a gap of nearly two minutes over the chasing group. The Irish rider powered towards the finish line.
Behind, a fierce battle in the peloton for position and to close the gap to the front made the race tense and nervy. Teams such as Ineos Grenadiers, Cofidis, and UAE Team Emirates-XRG led the chase.
With 20 kilometres to go, the chasing group was absorbed by the peloton. Pello Bilbao’s chances of winning the stage on home soil were fading. Leading the race by almost two minutes was the indefatigable Ben Healy (EFE, 91), who had warned from the outset that he would look to be in the breakaway.
The stage appeared to be settled, but behind, hostilities began in the battle for the general classification. First, Ineos Grenadiers increased the pace, followed by Movistar Team. On the challenging and narrow ramps of the last climb before the finish, Florian Lipowitz (RBH, 71) and Alex Aranburu (COF, 51) initiated solo attacks. The yellow jersey reacted strongly to the attacks. With unwavering support from his teammates. With just 15 kilometres to go, Max Schachmann lost contact with the leading group.
Ultimately, Ben Healy (EFE, 91) took the stage win, arriving with nearly a two-minute lead over the group. The overall standings remained unchanged, with everything to be decided in the sixth and final stage.
Standings after Stage 5
Stage winner: Ben Healy (EFE, 91)
Overall individual ranking: Joao Almeida (UAD, 1)
Mountain classification: Bruno Armirail (DAT, 61)
Overall points classification: Joao Almeida (UAD, 1)
Overall ranking best young rider: Brieuc Rolland (GFC, 126)
Overall team classification: XDS Astana
Overall ranking best Basque rider: Alex Aranburu (COF, 51)
Most combative: Ben Healy (EFE, 91)
