We have a round up of the final podiums from Circuit Sarthe, and a real bobbie dazzler of a victory from Pais Vasco.

Pais Vasco Stage 5, Orio to Arrate (Eibar), 159km

In a fantastic show of bravado Diego Rosa (Astana) attacked from the halfway point and held his nerve and his time gap to take a flamboyant solo victory on the Queen stage.  Sergio Henao (Sky) and Tinkoff’s Alberto Contador duked it out on the final climb, where the Colombian got the better of Baby Blackbird for second place. With the final uphill time trail to come, Henao holds the lead by 6secs from Contador and 10secs from FDJ’s Thibaut Pinot (and we all know how FDJ like a time trial these days). Do not miss the final stage!

Sheer, unadulterated Diego joy

Stage highlights…

Circuit Sarthe Stage 4, Abbaye de l/Epau to Arnage, 176km

Juan Jose Lobato (Movistar) emerged victorious from the bunch gallop on the final stage, edging out Marco Benefatto (Androni Giocattoli-Spidermec) and IAM cat Matteo Pelucchi. Best young rider Marc Fournier held onto his leader’s jersey by 1:50 from Jerome Coppel (IAM) with Lobato climbing to the third step courtesy of bonifications. Double stage winner Anton Vorobyev (Katusha) made the break again and goes home with the points and the mountains jerseys. Team Cofidis take the prize for best team.

Highlights (In French)…

Links: 

Official site for Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco, Twitter #itzulia

Official site for Circuit Cycliste Sarthe, Twitter #CircuitSarthe

Featured Image: Marc Fournier celebrating his first professional win. From race website © 2016 – La Sarthe