Frenchman Kenny Elissonde, new leader of the Vuelta

The good news of the day for French cycling comes to us from Spain.

While we were expecting a fine performance from Thibaut Pinot in the Tour du Limousin, it was Frenchman Kenny Elissonde who distinguished himself on the most prestigious Tour of Spain.

The Trek-Segafredo rider, second overall before the 5th stage, took advantage of a fall 12 km from the finish to grab the red jersey from Estonian Rein Taaramäe.

This is the second year in a row that a Frenchman has worn the leader's tunic of General de la Vuelta after David Gaudu, last November.

🇫🇷 Yes Kenny!

Elissonde takes advantage of the chaos of the 5th stage to take the lead of the general classification on # LaVuelta21

Follow the Tour of Spain on Eurosport with #LesRP

- Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) August 18, 2021

“It's not necessarily the way I would have liked to take the jersey.

I don't like it but it's part of the sport, explained the 30-year-old climber.

Usually, I'm a team member, and now it's my turn.

After the Tour and the Olympics, the team asked me if I wanted to go to the Vuelta.

It's amazing what's happening to me.

"

The calm before the fall

However, the 5th stage towards Albacete promised to be quiet with an essentially flat course.

A breakaway of three young Spaniards - Peyalo Sanchez (Burgos-BH), Oier Lazkano (Caja Rural-Seguros) and Xabier Mikel Azparren (Euskaltel-Euskadi) - was easily controlled by the peloton.

An uneventful day until a big collective fall 12 km from the finish line.

😬 Oh the (very) big fall just over 11 kilometers from the finish!

There was some breakage in the peloton, especially for Romain Bardet 🇫🇷!

# LaVuelta21

Follow the finish of the 5th stage live on Eurosport and https://t.co/XcZuM75Ks8 👉 https://t.co/LKmuChgMzl pic.twitter.com/Hee2tV5Ufy

- Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) August 18, 2021

Very damaged jersey, Romain Bardet (Team DSM) lost a lot of time overall (more than 12 minutes), leader Taaramäe was slowed down.

To the great happiness of Kenny Elissonde, who took 1st place overall, 5 seconds ahead of Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma).

Since happiness never comes alone, the other French rider Lilian Calmejane (AG2R-Citroën) also takes a position on the podium at 10 ′ '.

The 5th stage was still played in a sprint.

In this game, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix) was the strongest on Wednesday.

The Belgian sprinter wins his second victory in this Vuelta 2021. Be careful, tomorrow will be another eventful day.

The final climb to Montaña de Cullera (category 3 pass) could upset the general classification.