Guardini victorious in Viseu

Andrea Guardini (Farnese Vini / Neri) won the sprint finish to Viseu on stage 5 as Sergio Ribeiro (Barbot-Epafel) regained the overall lead courtesy of time bonuses. Guardini, who many tip as a star of the future had too much acceleration in the finale for Ribiero and Benjamin Giraud (Velo Club La Pomme Marseille). It was win number ten for Guardini who already boasts victories in Langkawi, Turkey and Qatar.

"The Volta so far has been very hard for me," said Guardini. "Today though, the stage was a little easier, and it favoured the sprinters a little more. I just thought about hanging on and when we got to the finish I did a great sprint."

In the general classification Sergio Ribiero surprised many to take second on the stage and with it, reclaimed the yellow jersey. He now leads second place Hernani Broco (LA Antarte) by 8 seconds.

"I've been saying from the start that this team has only one aim and that is to win in Lisbon," Ribiero said after the stage. "We're going to try like we did today - everyday. I'm in yellow today but the team has plenty of options. We'll see what happens in the days ahead."

The 150.3km stage to Viseu was the shortest of this year's Volta and the action began in earnest. Attacks went early but they were all brought break or neutralised with the effort of the Barbot-Epafel team who were eager to set up Ribiero in the day's opening intermediate sprint.

In the final 50km a group of three built a small advantage but ultimately they were brought back for the predicted sprint, and it was Guardini who took the victory.