Geraint Thomas has won today's stage 5 at Critérium du Dauphiné in a dramatic end to what was supposed to be a finish for the sprinters who could survive the earlier climbs.
Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) attacked out of the reduced peloton with 1km to go to the finish; powering into and out of a hairpin turn to get a gap from what was almost a standing start.
While the Bahrain Victorious team of Sonny Colbrelli was on the front of the pack, they were not strong enough to hold Thomas. He wound back the clock to his pursuiting days with a brilliant 1kn flat-out effort.
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However, just as he looked like he had the stage won, Colbrelli shot from the front of the bunch and gained massive ground on the Welsh rider. Colbrelli sprinted for the line while Thomas stayed seated with a pursuiter's effort.
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And as the finish line arrived and Thomas went to raise his right hand in victory, Colbrelli shot passed him and the Welshman thought he had been mugged on the line.
However, the photo finish showed Thomas reached the line just before Colbrelli to take the stage win, though the Italian was traveling so much faster than Thomas right on the line.
Ireland's Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo) spent most of the 175.km stage from Saint-Chamond to Saint-Vallier in the breakaway and we'll have more on his day later as he put in a very strong performance.
Thomas's win today, ahead of Colbrelli in 2nd and Alex Aranburu (Astana-Premier Tech) in 3rd, meant Lukas Pöstlberger (Bora-hansgrohe) keeps the yellow jersey he took after a fine solo win on stage 2.
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