Heroic Urtasun goes close

Pablo Urtasun launched a courageous and whole-hearted attack in the closing clicks of Wednesday's fifth stage of the Vuelta a España.

The speedy veteran made his move on the last little bump in the road with some two kilometres to go on the stage from Sober to Lago de Sanabria. He wasn't able to seal the deal, but he at least showed there's still a fire burning inside the Euskaltel riders after what's been a horrendous Vuelta thus far.

Eventually Michael Matthews emerged victorious in the dash for the line. Samuel Sánchez was the team's best rider in 18th.

Results:

• (1, Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge), 4:28:22)
• 18, Samuel Sánchez, s.t.
• 23, Egoi Martínez, s.t.
• 33, Mikel Nieve, s.t.
• 52, Igor Antón, s.t.
• 94, Pablo Urtasun, s.t.
• 113, Juan José Oroz, 1:16
• 115, Mikel Landa, s.t.
• 116, Gorka Verdugo, s.t.
• 158, Jorge Azanza, 3:35

Photo: Kevin Remmerie