Cycling:Nicolas Roche finished 13th in today's 181.2 kilometre fifth stage of the Tour of Catalunya from Asco to Cabaces in Spain and holds onto fifth place in the overall standings, some one minute 20 seconds behind the leader.
It was a real Spanish battle for honours in today’s stage as Luis Leon Sanchez launched an attack to threaten Joaquim Rodriguez’s overall lead.
Rodriguez held off the onslaught by teaming up with second-placed Xavier Tondo.
Italy’s Davide Malacarne won today’s stage ahead of Germany’s Andreas Kloeden who was 36 seconds back. Sanchez was third alongside Michel Kreder from the Netherlandsand Estonia’s Rein Taaramae.
Rodriguez still leads Tondo by 10 seconds in the overall standings with Taaramae third, 43 seconds back.
The Tour of Catalunya finishes on Sunday in Montmelo.
Result and overall standings after the 181.2-km fifth stage of the Tour of Catalunya from Asco to Cabaces, Spain
1. Davide Malacarne (Italy / Quick-Step) 4 hrs 50 mins 03 secs
2. Andreas Kloeden (Germany / RadioShack)+36"
3. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spain / Caisse d'Epargne) +37"
4. Michel Kreder (Netherlands / Garmin)
5. Rein Taaramae (Estonia / Cofidis)
6. Paolo Tiralongo (Italy / Astana)+40"
7. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Katusha)
8. Frank Schleck (Luxembourg / Saxo Bank)
9. Ryder Hesjedal (Canada / Garmin)
10. Eros Capecchi (Italy / Footon)
11. Janez Brajkovic (Slovenia / RadioShack)
12. Sandy Casar (France / Francaise des Jeux)
13. Nicolas Roche (Ireland / AG2R)
14. Xavier Tondo (Spain / Cervelo)
15. Juan Manuel Garate (Spain / Rabobank)
16. Chris Sorensen (Denmark / Saxo Bank)
17. Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic / Liquigas)
18. Robert Kiserlovski (Croatia / Liquigas)
19. Jan Bakelants (Belgium / Omega Pharma - Lotto)
20. Vladimir Karpets (Russia / Katusha)
Overall standings
1. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Katusha) 18 hrs 38 mins 57secs
2. Xavier Tondo (Spain / Cervelo) +10"
3. Rein Taaramae (Estonia / Cofidis) +43"
4. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spain / Caisse d'Epargne)+45"
5. Nicolas Roche (Ireland / AG2R) +1:20"
6. Ryder Hesjedal (Canada / Garmin)
7. Michel Kreder (Netherlands / Garmin) +1:21"
8. Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic / Liquigas)+1:22"
9. Janez Brajkovic (Slovenia / RadioShack)+1:25"
10. Remy Di Gregorio (France / Francaise des Jeux)+1:26"
11. Igor Anton (Spain / Euskaltel)+1:27"
12. Sandy Casar (France / Francaise des Jeux)+1:29"
13. Vladimir Karpets (Russia / Katusha)+1:30"
14. Paolo Tiralongo (Italy / Astana)
15. Aitor Perez (Spain / Footon)+1:33"
16. Iban Velasco (Spain / Euskaltel)+1:37"
17. Pieter Weening (Netherlands / Rabobank)+1:38"
18. Robert Kiserlovski (Croatia / Liquigas)+1:40"
19. Oscar Pereiro (Spain / Astana)+1:59"
20. Jens Voigt (Germany / Saxo Bank)