Vuelta a Espana: Tim Wellens wins stage five as Primoz Roglic keeps lead

Tim Wellens beat Guillaume Martin in an uphill sprint to win stage five of the Vuelta a Espana as Primoz Roglic kept the overall lead.

Wellens, Martin and Thymen Arensman broke away with 75km left in the 184km stage from Huesca to Sabinanigo, before the Belgian powered clear late on.

Jumbo-Visma’s Roglic led the main group in a bunch sprint to finish fourth, two minutes 13 seconds behind Wellens.

Ireland’s Dan Martin trails by five seconds in the general classification.

Martin, who won stage three, was involved in a crash near the finish but did not lose any time on defending champion Roglic.

Team Ineos’ Richard Carapaz is third overall, 13 seconds down.

“It feels super good,” said Lotto-Soudal’s Wellens.

“I had a difficult period and I was a bit scared coming to the Vuelta, but I’m super happy with this victory. It’s nice it came so early and now the next two weeks are without stress.”

Stage six of the 18-stage race – originally scheduled to finish at the top of the Tourmalet – takes the riders 146km from Biescas to Sallent de Gallego.