Stage five of Tour of Croatia is also known as the “queen” stage because it is considered to be the most important in deciding the final winner of the overall race.
Spaniard Jaime Roson Garcia from team Saguaros RGA was the winner of stage five of the tour which took place yesterday from Poreč to Učka. The 141-kilometer stretch began with a moment of silence for Michele Scarponi who was tragically killed while training in Italy yesterday morning.
The race’s winner was ultimately decided in the finishing climb to Poklon at Učka mountain as the Spaniard fought for a sprinting finish in a direct duel with rival Vincenzo Nibali of Bahrain Merida Pro Cycling Team. Nibali, clearly shaken by the death of good friend Scarponi, was determined to bring in the win, but after several attacks he was unable to get around Roson Garcia who finished with a time of 3 hours, 41 minutes, and 47 seconds.
KL Photo / Tour of Croatia
All three best riders were actually given the same finishing time, but Roson Garcia’s time bonus placed him on top of the overall ranking. Roson now leads Nibali by just two seconds going into the final stage of Tour of Croatia.
The final stage of the race continues today from Samobor to Zagreb for 147 kilometers of cycling.
Here’s a look at the stage five results:
1. Jaime Roson Garcia Caja Rural - Seguros RGA (Spa) 3:41:47
2. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain - Merida 3:41:47
3. Jan Hirt (Cze) CCC Sprandi Polkowice 3:41:47
4. Felix Grossscharner (Aut) CCC Sprandi Polkowice 0:00:05
5. Jan Polanc (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:08
