Intro:

Alberto Contador has won stage five of the Tirreno Adriatico.

The Spaniard also took over at the top of the overall standings.

Script:

Stage five of the 2014 edition of the Tirreno Adriatico took riders over the 192 kilometres from Amatrice to Guardiagrele.

There was a festival atmosphere as the pack headed out on what was to be a gruelling stage, including one of the steepest climbs in all of pro cycling.

American Benjamin King made an early challenge to lead the charge, and was out in front for much of the race.

He was joined by four other riders, including Alberto Contador, who won the last stage.

Together the breakaway put significant distance between themselves and the chasing peloton which included overall race leader Michal Kwiatowski.

The leading quintet started the Muro di Guardiagrele, the punishing penultimate climb, with a 1:35 minute advantage over the chasing peloton.

With an average gradient of 22.2% that sometimes crept up to 30%, it was a huge challenge.

While King attacked into one of the steepest ramps of the climb, the move only served to drop Adam Hansen and David de la Cruz.

Contador was unruffled and launched a daring attack of his own, passing King as he wove a slow steady route across the climb.

He pushed on from there, and for the second consecutive day crossed the finish line first, winning the stage in four hours 54 minutes and 42 seconds.

Simon Geschke took second place six seconds slower, while King was third, a further 39 seconds back.

For Contador, this win also saw him take control of the overall classification with Colombian Nairo Quintana sitting second overall, but by a significant margin of 1 minute 50 seconds.

Overnight race leader Kwiatowski lost over six minutes over the course of the stage.