MADRID, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Ben Healy (EF Education) won the fifth stage of the Itzulia cycle race with an impressive solo ride on Friday.

Healy finished the tough 172.4-kilometer stage from Orduna to Gernika one minute and 45 seconds ahead of Axel Laurance (INEOS-Grenadiers). Joao Almeida (UAE-Team Emirates) was seconds further back in the main group, ensuring his overall race lead by 30 seconds.

The stage saw a six-man breakaway open a lead of just over two minutes ahead of the main peloton, which allowed Pello Bilbao (Team Bahrain Victorious) to receive applause as the race passed through his hometown of Gernika for the first time.

The peloton was content to allow Bilbao to enjoy his moment, but then began working to close the gap. This prompted Healy to break away from the front of the leading group for a solo effort with 55 kilometers remaining in the stage.

The Irish rider is an excellent climber and a good descender but does not pose a threat in the overall standings. Therefore, with another challenging mountain stage scheduled to conclude the race on Saturday, the group containing the main race favorites was willing to let Healy's lead remain at around two minutes.

Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) controlled the group for Almeida to ensure no one could attack the overall leader until Laurance launched an attack with just over three kilometers left in the stage.

Meanwhile, Healy never appeared to be caught and was able to celebrate his victory in the final meters before the finish line.

The final stage of the Itzulia on Saturday starts and finishes in the town of Eibar, featuring seven categorized climbs, including three first-category mountains, over 153.4 kilometers. The stage concludes with a rapid descent to the finish. Enditem

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