Giro d’Italia: France’s Arnaud Demare wins thrilling sprint finish to take stage five

Arnaud Demare celebrates winning stage five of the Giro d'Italia

France’s Arnaud Demare won stage five of the Giro d’Italia in Sicily after a thrilling sprint finish.

Britain’s Mark Cavendish, looking to win his second stage of this year’s Giro, was heavily fancied but fell away with several kilometres to go.

Demare got into position before a tight final corner to take his sixth career Giro stage win.

Colombia’s Fernando Gaviria finished in second and Italy’s Giacomo Nizzolo was third in the 172km stage.

Juan Pedro Lopez, who on Tuesday became the first Spaniard since Alberto Contador in 2015 to take the overall leader’s pink jersey, retains his place at the top of the general classification.

He crossed the line in 58th in Messina.

Britain’s Simon Yates remains fourth overall, one minute 42 seconds down and the best placed of the main favourites.

It was a stage to forget for Cavendish and Caleb Ewan, who were both caught out on a climb and left unable to contest the sprint.

“In the end, what can you do?” Cavendish said.

“Of course you’re always disappointed but we knew that was going to happen today. It would have been a bonus if we could sprint, but we have to try. We’ll try again.”

The Giro leaves Sicily and heads for the Italian mainland next, with Thursday’s stage six a 192km ride from Palmi to Scalea. The 21-stage race concludes in Verona on 29 May.