Russia’s Nicolai Trussov (Katusha) won the fifth stage of the Volta a Catalunya between La Seu d’Urgell and Torredembarra in a sprint finish beating Norweigian Thor Hushovd (Cervelo TestTeam).
Nobody expected the Russian to make such a showing over Hushovd who isn’t normally the team sprinter.
Trusov told the AP, “Normally (Alexei) Markov does the sprints, but today he was dropped with 10 kilometres to go, I seized my own chance.”
That’s just what the young Russian did on the 201km course, possibly giving him a chance to sprint for the team in the future. Spain’s Alejandro Valverde retained the overall lead with no changes being made in the general classification on the day.
Stage:
1. Nikolay Trusov (RUS) Team Katusha in 4.28.58 (44.905 km/h)
2. Thor Hushovd (NOR) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Fabio Sabatini (ITA) Liquigas
4. Greg Henderson (NZL) Team Columbia-Highroad
5. Pablo Urtasun (SPA) Euskaltel-Euskadi
Overall:
1. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) 18hr 18min 36sec
2. Daniel Martin (IRL) at 15sec
3. Haimar Zubeldia (ESP) 22
4. Mikel Astarloza (ESP) 34
5. Jose Angel Gomez Marchante (ESP) 38