After the sweltering heat of the first few days, rain and cooler temperatures saw the riders donning rain jackets and arm warmers on Stage 5. A half-hearted breakaway of only two riders, Tiago Machado and Julien Morice, was caught 14 km from the finish by the peloton looking for a sprint finish.
But the main talking point of the day was a big crash caused by a metre high pole on the left hand side of the road 2.5km from the finish. It took out luckless Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk who suffered a broken collarbone as result, putting him out of the race. Earlier this year he crashed in the Giro and off the podium with a disappointing fourth place.
Read MoreThis year's Vuelta continues to entertain, surprise and wow spectators and audiences. The peloton rolled through more spectacular Spanish countryside in the verdant north. Congratulations to Lilian Calmejane for pulling off his first stage win in a Grand Tour. He rode with great strength as well tactical nous, again highlighting the strength and depth of young talent emerging from France.
Movistar played a cool game today. Although they lost the red jersey, they seemed content to play it out for the long game. They're looking to take the red to Madrid rather than hustle over it in these early stages. Darwin Atapuma takes the honour of being race leader over Valverde by 29 seconds. He's one of three Colombians in the top five, along with Esteban Chaves and Nairo Quintana - surely one of the top nations in road cycling at the moment.
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