Ben Swift wins Tour of the Basque Country stage five
Yorkshireman Ben Swift (Team Sky) takes uphill sprint on stage five of Tour of the Basque country to continue his rich vein of form

Ben Swift wins stage fiveof the 2014 Tour of the Basque Country
Ben Swift (Team Sky) continued his rich vein of form with victory on the hilly fifth stage of the Tour of the Basque Country on Friday.
The 26 year-old Yorkshireman made a select group of 22 riders at the end of a typically lumpy stage in Spain before pipping Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) to the line in Xemein.
Such a result against strong opposition continues Swift's sensational start to the season, coming hot on the heels of a stage win at the Settimana Coppi e Bartali and third at Milan-San Remo.
Swift's win also took him to the top of the points classification leaderboard, while Simon Yates (Orica-GreenEdge) finished 16th on the stage to keep 15th overall.
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) finished ninth on the stage to keep hold of the race lead with one stage, a 25.9km time trial, remaining on Saturday.
Results
Tour of the Basque Country 2014, stage five: Eibar to Xemein, 160.2km
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
1. Ben Swift (GBr) Team Sky in 3-56-56
2. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movisar
3. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
4. Tom Jelte Slagter (Ned) Garmin-Sharp
5. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Merida
6. Cyril Gautier (Fra) Europcar
7. Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Belkin
8. Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale
9. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo
10. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC all at s.t.
Others
16. Simon Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge at s.t.
39. Adam Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge at 4-39
120. Josh Edmondson (GBr) at 18-09
Overall standings after stage five
1. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo in 20-30-31
2. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movisar at 12 secs
3. Damiano Cungeo (Ita) Lampre-Merida at 36 secs
4. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC
5. Jean Christophe Peraud (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale all at s.t.
Others
15. Simon Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge at 1-37
Ben Swift wins opening stage of Settimana Coppi e Bartali
Rotherham sprinter Ben Swift follows podium spot in Milan-San Remo with win in Italian stage race
Ben Swift celebrating podium spot in his first Milan-San Remo
Ben Swift says he felt 'better and better' as the 300km Milan-San Remo progressed, eventually placing third
Swift reactions: Sky rider reflects on return from injury
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Richard Abraham is an award-winning writer, based in New Zealand. He has reported from major sporting events including the Tour de France and Olympic Games, and is also a part-time travel guide who has delivered luxury cycle tours and events across Europe. In 2019 he was awarded Writer of the Year at the PPA Awards.
-
Why Paris-Roubaix 2025 is proof that road bike tyres still have a long way to go
Paris-Roubaix bike tech could have wide implications for the many - here's why
By Joe Baker Published
-
Man hands himself in to Belgian police after throwing full water bottle at Mathieu van der Poel during Paris-Roubaix
30-year-old was on Templeuve-en-Pévèle cobbled sector when television pictures showed the bottle hitting him in the face
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'We've talked to literally hundreds of brands' - Ineos Grenadiers CEO gives update on sponsor hunt
Team boss John Allert says there have been 'fabulous rumours' about new partners
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Rim brakes no more: Every WorldTour bike in 2025 to use discs after final switch
Bianchi's new time trial bike bids farewell to the beloved rim brake
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'A stage win in the Tour de France really changed my profile': Steve Cummings on working as a chef, idolising Michele Bartoli, and playing football like Trent Alexander-Arnold
Jayco-AlUla Sports Director discusses his most significant career victory and how he got into cycling
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock to remain 'part of the Pinarello family' after joining Q36.5 Pro Cycling
British star will continue to ride Pinarello bikes after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Amateur cyclist in talks with four WorldTour teams after Strava KOM heroics
Jack Burke says there's a 30% chance he'll ride at cycling's top level in 2025
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Meet the latest British rider to join a WorldTour team
Oli Stockwell is one of 11 promising British talents who will turn pro in 2025
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers hire new head of engineering as reshuffle continues
Former British Cycling lead, Dr Billy Fitton, is the latest of a handful of new appointments within the British squad
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Overachiever: Cameron Wurf competed in the Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and an Ironman, all in just eight days
Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.
By Kristin Jenny Published