Barta benefits from long, non-threatening break

Czech rider Jan Barta (KTM Junkers) claimed the first win of his professional career when he attacked out of the breakaway group on the Tour of Austria's longest stage. Barta powered away to the win nine seconds ahead of Cervelo's Joaquin Novoa.

Both riders were part of a five man breakaway that escaped the field after a rapid and aggressive start to the 217.2km stage. The group, also containing Oliver Kaisen (Silence-Lotto), Reto Hollenstein (Voralberg Corratec) and Luis Angel Mate Mardones (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni), went clear 70km into the stage.

With none of the riders a threat to Michael Albasini's overall lead, the Columbia-HTC team was content to let the five men roll away and gain large chunks of time.  Hollenstein was the best placed on GC, some 20 minutes behind Albasini. The break was allowed to gain up to 14 minutes before the Columbia-HTC team got to work.

The five men worked together until the final mountain sprint with 20km to go, then the gloves came off. After a series of attacks and counter-attacks, Barta broke free with 4.5km to go and only Menedez continued to chase. Barta took the sprint easily, while the remaining three finished a minute behind.

The peloton was led home by Columbia's Andre Greipel nearly 11 minutes later.

Barta said the victory was amazing for his KTM Junkers Braunau team.