What do the bergs of Belgium have in common with the mountains of Catalunya ? Team Sky on the top of the podium that’s what! Yep the Good Friday force most definitely awakened on the Death Star.

Volta a Catalunya, Stage 5, Rialp to Valls, 187.2km

After a high paced start to the stage a group of eight riders finally managed to get a break to stick. Fastest and strongest of the escapados was Sky’s Wout Poels who attacked on the final climb and held off four pursuers on the descent to take a jewel of a solo win. Dario Cataldo (Astana) came over the line in second with Gaetan Bille [what an ace Country and Western name – can’t be just me surely?] of Wanty-Groupe Gobert in third.  The GC guys came over the line on the same time, but Baby Blackbird had snatched a second at an intermediate sprint and is now only 7secs behind Don Nairo, with Richie Porte still in third.

Catch the highlights here….

E3 Harelbeke, Herelbeke to Harelbeke, 206km

What a day for Team Sky as Michal Kwiatkowski won the battle of rainbow jerseys, leaving Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) for dead with 250m to go in a two up sprint for the line. It got even better for the blue striped Rapha clad squad as Ian Stannard won the sprint from the chasing bunch to take the third step on the podium. Don’t miss our race review for the lowdown and ALL the best bits. 

Bergs…

Rainbow vs Rainbow

Final Kms…

An extra 100m …

Actually, make that three races and three podiums for Team Sky as  neo-pro Gianni Moscon claims third at Settimana Coppi e Bartali!! #whataday

Links: 

Official site for Volta a Catalunya, Twitter #voltacatalunya

Official site for E3 Harelbeke

Featured Image: Peloton from Volta Catalunya © Jon Herranz, from race website