CHIETI, Italy (AP) — Chris Froome of Britain took the overall lead in the weeklong Tirreno-Adriatico race Sunday, and Joachin Rodriguez of Spain won the fifth stage with an attack on the short but steep finishing climb.
Rodriguez, with the Katusha team and the runner-up in last year’s Giro d’Italia, completed the 143-mile ride from Ortona to Chieti in 6 hours, 6 minutes, 43 seconds.
Dutch rider Bauke Mollema finished second in the stage, eight seconds behind. Spanish star Alberto Contador was third. He had the same time and was in the group that also featured Froome, who was sixth.
Overall, Froome leads Contador by seconds. Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali third, also 20 seconds back.
After an easier stage Monday, the race ends Tuesday with an individual time trial in San Benedetto del Tronto.
