Spaniard Juan Miguel Mecardo (ibanesto.com) won yesterday’s 5th stage of the tour of Spain with a solo ride to the summit of Lagos de Corvadonga, beating Kelme’s Oscar Sevilla into 2nd place at 33 seconds. Baby faced Sevilla, winner of the young rider’s jersey at the tour this year moved up into the race leader’s gold jersey, taking it from the shoulders of Kelme team-mate Santiago Botero.
Another of the pre-race favourites, Joseba Beloki (Once) was third on the stage at 59 seconds.

David Millar was unlucky to crash for the second day running and ended up coming in 4’57 behind the stage winner in 45th position. This means he has now dropped from 2nd position on GC to 28th, 3’49 behind Sevilla. Millar is still feeling strong and is quite rightly brimming with confidence for tomorrow’s time trial.

Stage Results:

1 J. MERCADO (ESP – BAN) 4h18’37”
2 O. SEVILLA (ESP – KEL) @ 33″
3 J. BELOKI (ESP – ONC) @58″
4 J. JIMENEZ (ESP – BAN) @ 1’17”
5 J. RUBIERA (ESP – USP) @ 1’21”
6 D. PLAZA (ESP – FES) s.t.
7 M. BELTRAN (ESP – MAP) s.t.
8 A. CASERO (ESP – FES) s.t.
9 F. ESCARTIN (ESP – COA) s.t.

10 A. OSA (ESP – BAN) s.t.

General Classification:

1 O. SEVILLA (ESP – KEL) 15h22’09”
2 J. MERCADO (ESP – BAN) @ 15″
3 J. BELOKI (ESP – ONC) @ 35″
4 D. PLAZA (ESP – FES) @ 59″
5 R. HERAS (ESP – USP) @ 1’06”
6 A. CASERO (ESP – FES) @ 1’09”
7 J. RUBIERA (ESP – USP) @ 1’12”
8 R. LAISEKA (ESP – EUS) s.t.
9 I. MAYO (ESP – EUS) @ 1’37”
10 F. ESCARTIN (ESP – COA) s.t.