Tour of the Basque Country 2024: Grégoire wins sprint of decimated peloton, Skjelmose still leader

foto: Cor VosRomain Grégoire outsprints Orluis Alaur and Maximilian Schachmann in a close finish in the 5th stage of the Itzulia Basque Countru. Mattias Skjelmose stays in the lead of the general classification. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 5th stage 2024 Tour of the Basque Country

1. Romain Grégoire (fra)
2. Orluis Alaur (Ven) s.t.
3. Maximilian Schachmann (ger) s.t.
4. Quentin Pacher (fra) s.t.
5. Alex Aranburu (spa) s.t.
6. Santiago Buitrago (col) s.t.
7. Pello Bilbao (spa) s.t.
8. Damien Howson (aus) s.t.
9. Samuele Battistella (ita) s.t.
10. Carlos Rodriguez (spa) s.t.

GC after stage 5
1. Mattias Skjelmose
2. Maximilian Schachmann (ger) + 0.02
3. Juan Ayuso (spa) + 0.04
4. Kévin Vauquelin (fra) + 0.06
5. Romain Grégoire (fra) + 0.08
6. Brandon McNulty (usa) + 0.13
7. Bruno Armirail (fra) + 0.14
8. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 0.15
9. Alex Aranburu (spa) + 0.23
10. Jordan Jegat (fra) + 0.30

Koersverloop
Sepp Kuss and Isaac Del Toro go on the attack in the descent of the Urkiola. The riders are already over 85 kilometres underway at that point. The two are caught in the valley.

Then it’s up to a group of nine riders. Johannes Staune-Mittet, Mauro Schmid, Harrison Wood, Mathieu Burgaudeau, Martijn Tusveld, Enekoitz Azparren, Iván Cobo, Jimmy Janssens and José Manuel Díaz open up a 1 minute gap, which is halved on the first climb up the Muniketa Gaina. Janssens goes alone and he is caught by Santiago Buitrago.

Several riders bridge across on descent. Among them Johannes Staune-Mittet. Rémy Rochas, Michal Kwiatkowski, Mark Donovan and Ibon Ruiz rejoin the young Norwegian and the five open up a 30 seconds lead.

Rochas and Kwiatkowski head out together in the second ascent of the Muniketa Gaina. The Frenchman drops the former World Champion, while Jordan Jegat, Gijs Leemreize, Isaac Del Toro, Oscar Onley, Bruno Armirail, Victor Langalotti and David de la Cruz overhaul him.

The GC group makes the catch 500 metres before the summit before Santiago Buitrago strikes on descent. Yellow jersey Mattias Skjelmose neutralises the attack.

Brandon McNulty sneaks away inside the last 7 kilometres. The American is caught in the tunnel that ends with 4 kilometres remaining.

The last attacker of the day, Carlos Rodriguez, goes in the last kilometre. He is caught in the dying metres by the first sprinters. Romain Grégoire, Orluis Alaur and Maximilian Schachmann cross the line virtually together, while it is the young Frenchman who is awarded the win. Mattias Skjelmose stays in yellow, although Maximilian Schachmann closes in thanks to a time bonus on the line of 6 seconds.

Another interesting read: route 5th stage 2024 Tour of the Basque Country.