gonbike.com - News: "Tour de France - Aru triumphed in stage 5"

- Titolo: "Tour de France - Aru triumphed in stage 5"
- Tratta dal sito: http://www.gonbike.com
- Pubblicata: Thursday 06 July 17 09:01
- Link alla notizia: http://www.gonbike.com/news_prod/view.php?id=2041

Italian champion, Astana Pro Team rider Fabio Aru took an amazing victory at the fifth stage of the Tour de France. Aru triumphed atop the famous climb La Planche des Belles Filles after his solo attack with 3 km to go.

- Before start I had a plan to attack with more or less 3 km to go, I thought it was the best moment in the race. I felt really good, so when we reached that point in a quite small group, I decided to go away. I did my all during these kilometers and I succeed. At the final km I realized that I still have a good gap, so for the first time I started to believe I can do it till the end. Thisissomethingunbelievable! Mydreamcametruewiththiswin. I have stage wins at the Giro and Vuelta, but I always wanted to take a victory here at the Tour de France. Last year gave me a lot in understanding of this race. And today this experience helped me a lot. I am very happy to win in the Italian champion jersey, especially in such a nice jersey! I had some hard periods in this season, but my team was next to me, supporting all this time, and I thank Astana for it. Today I won, but almost the whole race is still ahead. So, I will do it day by day. While today we can celebrate a bit! – said Fabio Aru.

- Today, we were especially motivated for this stage. First of all, it was the first mountain stage, which could give the very first answers in general classification of the Tour de France. Secondly, the stage suited well to Fabio Aru. And also, we really wanted to take a nice victory ahead of the 20th anniversary of Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan and birthday of the president of our republic. Tomorrow is a big national holiday in our country and we gift this victory to all Kazakhstanis! – said general manager Alexandr Vinokurov.

The fifth stage of the Tour de France started in Vittel and finished atop La Planche des Belles Filles after 160,5 km of racing. There was a break of 7 riders, who broke away in the first part of the distance. The peloton controlled well this group and it was neutralized just at the beginning of the final climb.

The high pace of the peloton provoked a great selection in the group, while with 3 km to go it was Fabio Aru, who launched a strong attack. Nobody could answer to this move and Aru took a perfect win.

Irish Daniel Martin finished second, 16 seconds behind Astana leader. Chris Froome was third. Another Astana Pro Team leader Jakob Fuglsang finished 16th, 1 minute and 7 seconds behind Fabio.

Chris Froome is the new yellow jersey of the Tour de France, while Fabio Aru moved up to 3rd place in overall, 14 seconds behind the GC leader. Jakob Fuglsang is now 15th.

Besides, Fabio Aru is new polka dot jersey as the leader of the mountain classification.

::Astana Pro Team - Press Release::