Jaan Kirsipuu (Ag2r) has won the fifth and final stage of the Etoile de Besseges. The Estonian took a bunch sprint from Roger Hammond (Palmans) and Yuri Mitlushenko (Landbouwkrediet) to win the 148-km ride from Branoux-les-Taillades to Besseges in 3:17:30. Fabio Baldato (Alessio), who began the day as the race leader, finished with the bunch and claimed the overall victory.

A number of abortive sallies occurred before Erki Putsep (Ag2r) and Samuel Dumoulin (Jean Delatour) escaped at 50 km. The pair ran up a five-minute advantage by 90 km, when the peloton began to chase. With seven km left, the bunch reeled in the break. The stage came down to a sprint, which Kirsipuu won.

In the overall, Baldato won the Etoile de Besseges by 0:05 over Michael Skelde (EDS-Fakta) and by 0:06 over Franck Bouyer (Brioches La Boulangere). Baldato has become the first Italian to win the race. Will he win more victories during the season? Check in at http://www.roadcycling.com/ and find out!