Davide Malacarne (Quick Step) took an impressive solo victory in the fifth stage of the Volta a Catalunya today, his first as a professional, finishing the 181.2 kilometer stage with 36 seconds to spare over second placed Andreas Klöden (RadioShack), who was closely followed by Luis León Sánchez (Caisse d’Epargne).

With tired legs in the peloton, stage five’s four climbs, a double dose of category two and three challenges, made it a good day for an escape. As soon as the peloton rolled out of Ascó, former junior cyclo-cross world champion Malacarne and Javier Ramírez (Andalucía-CajaSur) set off, with Sergio De Lis (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Gustavo César Veloso (Xacobeo Galicia) joining them just a few kilometers later.

Since none of the escapee’s were a threat to the general classification, the main group was content to let them ride away.  The foursome had built up a nearly 11 minute advantage by the time they approached the 130 kilometer mark. With the big time gap looming, the peloton began to give chase, cutting the breakaway’s lead in half in just 20 kilometers.

It was on the category 2 Alt de la Figuera where Italian Malacarne left his breakaway companions to set off for the finish alone. He crested the top of the climb with more than a minute on the trio of chasing Spaniards, and more than two and a half minutes on the main group.

On the way into the finishing town of Cabacés the lone rider’s gap was holding, while behind Sánchez tried to jump clear of the overall contenders unsuccessfully.  In the end it was the German Klöden who proved his form was coming along just fine, finishing a half a minute behind the Italian, who was able to capitalize on his efforts after being off the front for nearly 180 kilometers.

There were no changes in the top positions of the overall ahead of tomorrow’s penultimate stage from El Vendrell to Barcelona. The final 12 kilometers will see the race take in three category three climbs, and will provide the last opportunity to shake up the general classification ahead of Sunday’s expected sprint finish.

Volta a Catalunya stage 5 results:
1. Davide Malacarne (Quick Step) in 4h 50m 03s
2. Andreas Kloden (RadioShack) @ 36s
3. Luis León Sánchez (Caisse d’Epagrne) @ 37s
4. Michel Kreder (Garmin-Transitions) s.t.
5. Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) s.t.
6. Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) – @ 40s
7. Joaquim Rodríguez (Katusha) s.t.
8. Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank) s.t.
9. Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions) s.t.
10. Eros Capecchi (Footon-Servetto-Fuji) s.t.

General classification after Stage 5:
1. Joaquim Rodríguez (Katusha) in 18h 38m 57s
2. Xavier Tondo (Cervélo TestTeam) @ 10s
3. Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) @ 43s
4. Luis León Sánchez (Caisse d’Epargne) @ 45s
5. Nicolas Roche (AG2R-La Mondiale) @ 01m 20s
6. Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions) s.t.
7. Michel Kreder (Garmin-Transitons) @ 01m 21s
8. Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas-Doimo) @ 01m 22s
9. Janez Brajkovic (RadioShack) @ 01m 25s
10. Remy Di Grégorio (Française des Jeux) @ 01m 26s