Jan Polanc (Lampre-Merida) has taken Stage 5 of the Giro d’Italia. Polanc surged away from two breakaway companions to win the hilly, 152-km ride from La Spezia to Abetone in 4:09:18. Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling), one of Polanc’s breakmates, held off Fabio Aru (Astana) for second at 1:31. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo Bank) finished just behind Aru and claimed the maglia rosa.

Warm, sunny conditions greeted the riders. At 16 km, Polanc, Chavanel, Axel Doment (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Serghei Tvetkov (Androni Giacattoli-Venezuela), and Silvan Dillier (BMC) went off of the front. Orica-GreenEdge, whose man Simon Clarke wore the maglia rosa, decided to let the break go because none of its members was a threat to Clarke’s overall lead. The escapees led the field by four minutes at 35 km.

The break led the bunch by nine minutes on the Category 3 Foce Carpinelli. Orica-GreenEdge began the pursuit. At the base of the climb to the finish, with 17 km remaining, the break led the bunch by 5:33.

With 13 km left, Chavanel made the first move. The French veteran attacked, and Dillier, Domont, and Polanc joined him. The remaining break members exchanged surges until Polanc made his move with about 10 km left. For a time, Chavanel and Dillier chased together, but eventually the IAM Cycling man dropped Dillier and set out after Polanc. The Frenchman would never get to grips with the 23-year-old Lampre-Merida man, who soloed home to celebrate his first professional victory.

Behind, the battle for the maglia rosa began. Astana animated the fireworks. Diego Rosa attacked with eight km left, and when two-time Giro champion Ivan Basso (Tinkoff-Saxo Bank) reeled him in Mikel Landa countered. Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani-CSF) joined the Spaniard, but Tinkoff-Saxo Bank chased and captured the pair.

With five km to go, Clarke dropped off of the pace. Contador attacked, and Aru and Richie Porte (Sky) followed. Porte countered, but Contador took his wheel. Aru had a go, but the Italian could not drop his companions. Landa joined the trio and paced his captain.

Aru and Contador led the group into the home straight. Aru pushed into the lead and held off Contador. Chavanel barely held off Aru for second place.

As was the case with Davide Formolo (Cannondale-Garmin) yesterday, Polanc was overjoyed to take his first professional win. "The day I came to the Giro, I turned 23, so this is a wonderful birthday present,” the Slovenian said. “It feels strange and hard to believe. I don't think I'll sleep tonight. My legs were good today, and my goal was to build a big lead and then worry about who was the strongest. I'm a good climber, but the climb isn't steep and Chavanel is a good rider. When I was on my own, they told me the chase behind was fast, but when I heard my gap, I knew that I would win."

On the day’s last climb, Contador reacted to circumstances. "My attack wasn't planned,” he said. “I felt good, looked around, and went. Aru and Richie Porte are strong, but [Rigoberto of Etixx-Quick Step] Uran and others were dropped and I'm happy with the situation after five days. I didn't expect the maglia rosa, but to have it is always fantastic. It's a nice present and a real honour. I love the Giro d'Italia, the people and the country, and to wear the maglia rosa tomorrow during the stage will be fantastic, although the one that counts is the maglia rosa in Milan, so if someone else takes it tomorrow, it won't be a problem."

In the overall, Contador leads Aru by 0:02 and Porte by 0:20. Stage 6 probably will not change this state of affairs. The 183-km stage from Montecatini Terme to Castiglione della Pescaia will be mostly flat, but it will have a hilly section that will feature a Category 4 climb. However, the run to the finish will be long and flat. It all adds up to a sprint finish. Who will win? Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge)? Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal)? Elia Viviani (Sky)? Check in at www.roadcycling.com and find out!