A perfectly executed breakaway with four other cyclists put Slipstream's David Millar, left, in the perfect position for a Stage 5 win on Wednesday at the Giro d'Italia.
But with about a kilometer to go on a 9% climb to the finish at Contursi Terme, the Scotsman's chain broke as he strained to keep up with eventual winner Pavel Brutt (Tinkoff). Millar threw his bike over the barrier in disgust and waited for a replacement to finish the race.
The rest of the peloton finished about 30 seconds later, leaving Italian Franco Pellizotti of Liquigas in the overall lead, with Slipstream's Christian Vande Velde 1 second behind.
The break
The 126-mile Stage 5 from Belvedere Marittimo to Contursi Terme featured a couple of small hills and the 3-kilometer climb at the finish that rocketed upward at 9% right at the end.
A five-man breakaway jumped clear with 111 miles left in the stage. Gaining nearly 10 minutes at one point, this was a group that wasn't going to allow itself to be caught.
In addition to Millar and Russia's Brutt, the breakaway comprised Luis Laverde (CSF), Johannes Fröhlinger (Gerolsteiner), and Francisco Perez Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne).
The finish
On the final climb, with the peloton closing, Frohlinger was the first to attack, but Brutt and the others caught up. Then Perez tried and failed before Brutt attacked with Millar on his wheel until the mechanical problem.
The finish order was Brutt, Frohlinger, Laverde, Perez and Paolo Bettini of QuickStep, who finished at the head of the peloton.
What a shame for Millar, 31, and Slipstream. Except for a faulty chain, Slipstream could have scored its second win of the Giro.
See full results at CyclingNews and VeloNews.
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