Dumoulin delivers in Tarragona

Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis) won stage five of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, besting Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) and Ruben Perez Moreno (Euskaltel-Euskadi) in the field sprint finale.

Alberto Contador finished comfortably in the field in the 213.5km stage to Tarragona, the longest of the race, and continues as the overall leader. The Spaniard maintained his 23-second lead over Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack) and Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) after what he called a "very demanding day".

"Supposedly it was one of these transition days, but until kilometer 87 when there was a breakaway the attacks were constant," said Contador.

"In this race it costs a lot to keep the lead. You have to have a very strong team, not only for the mountains, but also for days like today at 210 km, more than announced."

Contador said he is "very well and I recover very well every day, although I like the stages with a little less kilometres, but anyway I'm fine".

The day started fast and furious with plenty of attacks and the peloton covered nearly 50km in the opening hour. After an early trio containing Miguel Minguez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Craig Lewis (HTC-Highroad) and Dario Cataldo (Quick Step) was neutralised, a four man break, comprised of Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Rémi Cusin (Cofidis), Francesco Masciarelli (Astana) and Christopher Froome (Sky), formed on the ascent of the stage's first categorised climb, the category two Alt de Fatxes at km 86.

The quartet built up a maximum advantage of 5:20 with 65km to go, but the presence of Masciarelli, 1:57 down on Contador and the virtual race leader on the road, plus the sprinters' teams desire for a bunch gallop ensured the break's demise.

The escapees, however, put up a valiant effort in resistance and were caught only five kilometres from the finish in Tarragona.

Inside of two kilometres to go Jan Bakelandts (Omega Pharma-Lotto) launched an attack, trying to catch the peloton off guard, but the Belgian was swept up by the flamme rouge. Dumoulin proved fastest in the uphill sprint to the line to take his third win of the season.