Laurance fifth as Onley retains GC place

Axel Laurance finished fifth in a reduced bunch sprint after a rapid day’s racing on stage five of La Vuelta a Espana. 

Laurance battled to the line as Matthew Brennan finished off a Visma Lease-a-Bike move to secure his second win of the race. 

There was no change in the overall standings as Oscar Onley retained fifth and the white jersey.

The stage started with a tough battle to get into the break, with Netcompany INEOS sitting in the peloton with the threat of crosswinds looming. 

The escapees failed to gain a significant advantage, which was compounded when the pace ramped up ahead of the first exposed section of the course, with just over 100km to go. 

The riders pulled to ensure safe passage as the wind blew and caused splits. However, despite a nervous peloton reacting to any moves, significant splits failed to materialise until the final categorised climb of the day. 

Josh Tarling and Ben Turner were key in leading Onley into the base of the climb in front, with Laurance, Carlos Rodriguez and Embret Svestad-Bårdseng. 

A host of sprinters were unable to make it back to the reduced bunch, which contested a technical finish to Roquetes, with Laurance finishing fifth. 

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