Intro:

Colombia rider Nairo Quintana braved the snow to take Stage Five and the overall lead of the Tirreno Adriatico on Sunday (15th March).

Script:

Stage five of the Tirreno Adriatico took place on Sunday with riders undertaking a 194km stage going from Esanatoglia to Terminillo.

Team Sky's Wouter Poels took the stage win on Saturday and in so doing, the Dutchman assumed the overall race leader's blue jersey.

Riders were greeted by bitterly cold temperatures, with the forecast predicting both rain and snow ahead.

A pack of eight started an early breakaway with Astana riders Michele Scarponi and Andriy Grivko doing most of the work.

The group was still clear of the peloton on the descent towards Rieti.

As conditions worsened the group was slowly caught by the peloton, and Nairo Quintana began his attack in the mountains.

The Colombian soon powered into the lead, an impressive performance in extremely difficult conditions.

Snow began to fall heavily, but it never appeared to bother the Colombian who emerged from the gloom in the mountains to cross the finish line.

Despite the heavy snowfall, Quintana's win means he secures the blue jersey, with a lead of 39 seconds over Mollema going into the last two stages of the the race.

Stage Six sees the field cycle 210 kilometres from Rieti to Porto Sant'Elpidio before Tuesday's closing 10-kilometre time trial in San Benedetto del Tronto.