One of the highlights of Wednesday's Vuelta a España stage five was Team CSC's Karsten Kroon's break with Ángel Gómez Gómez (Saunier Duval-Prodir). It resulted from a 10-man move that was originally formed at 60 kilometres out. After his break partner sat up, Dutchman Kroon worked hard on his own, but it wasn't enough to stay away until the finish with the sprinters' teams in hot pursuit.
Kroon, a Classics rider, was finally caught with four kilometers to go. His manager, Kim Andersen said after the stage according to team-csc.com, "Karsten really did all he could and it was definitely a serious attempt at what would've been a fantastic stage win.
"He's almost peaking and luckily it wasn't all for nothing out there today, because thanks to his hard work the rest of the team was able to take it easy at the back of the peloton and let the other teams do most of the work," said Andersen looking on the bright side.
José Angel Gomez Marchante (Saunier Duval-Prodir) also launched a move from the front of the peloton on the way up the Palombera in an attempt to catch Kroon, but he ended up in no-man's land, behind Kroon and in front of the gruppo. His position as a GC favorite doomed his attack, and he was caught with 21 kilometers to go.
However, Gómez Marchante seemed happy with his day. "We hadn't mentioned the possibility of attacking where I did, but "Matxin" told me that we could try and attack in the pass. We really wanted to stand out because this is our homeland and we were all really motivated.
"I made an attempt to catch Kroon, but I couldn't. Well, at least we were aggressive and we offered a nice performance. This is the way I like to ride and I won't give up. Yesterday, I wasn't happy but today I am."
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