 Merckx showed his climbing prowess to claim the fifth stage |
Belgium's Axel Merckx won the fifth stage of the Dauphine Libere on Friday as the overall lead changed hands. Spaniard Inigo Landaluze finished second on the 219km stage from Vaison-La-Romaine to Grenoble to take over at the top from Levi Leipheimer.
Merckx, son of the legendary Eddy Merckx, broke away from the field on the second of five climbs.
Euskaltel rider Landaluze followed soon after to ride into the overall lead with Leipheimer left trailing.
Stage five results:
1. Axel Merckx (BEL) 5hr 15min 01sec
2. Inigo Landaluze (ESP) +2mins 15sec
3. Benjamin Noval (ESP) +5:45
4. Eddy Mazzeloni (ITA) s.t.
5. Paolo Bossoni (ITA) +6:15
6. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA) s.t.
7. Rafael Casero (ESP) s.t.
8. Mario Aerts (BEL) +6:17
9. Francis Mourey (FRA) +6:18
10. Thor Hushovd (NOR) +7:32
Overall standings:
1. Inigo Landaluze (ESP) 20hr 41min 15sec
2. Axel Merckx (BEL) a+2mins 32sec
3. Levi Leipheimer (USA) +2:51
4. Lance Armstrong (USA) +3:12
5. Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ) +3:17
6. Floyd Landis (USA) +3:38
7. Andrey Kashechkin (KAZ) +4:51
8. Santiago Botero (COL) +5:16
9. Jose Gomez-Marchante (ESP) +5:44
10. Marzio Bruseghin (ITA) +5:58
MMIX
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