Tour of Mediterranean, Cat 2.3

1998 results     Other Stages     Stage 5, Miramas - Béziers, 219 kms: Dutch rider Max van Heeswijk who is riding for the Mapei-Quick Step team this season won Stage 5 from Miramas to Béziers (North West of Marseilles) in a mass sprint. He held off the best sprinter of the week Estonian Jann Kirsipuu and Italian Fabio Baldato. With 200 metres to ride, Van Heeswijk, who won the last stage of the 1997 Vuelta, took the initiative from Estonian Jan Kirsipuu (Casino). Kirsipuu said afterwards: "When Van Heeswijk started, I did not identify him because he has changed his shirt." This is in reference to the Dutchman's change of team over the winter. Stage 5 was the longest of the race, and was marked by the long flight of Lotto rider Jacky Durand, who specialises in the long solo escape. The Tour of Flanders winner in 1992 was very aggressive early and initially was joined by Italian Fabio Baldato (Ballan Alessio) at the 26 kms mark. The former Casino rider then went away on his own and at one point had a lead of 14.20 on the peloton. As the sprinter's teams got moving the lead evaporated "like snow in the sun" and he was caught with 15 kms to go before the finish at Béziers. Davide Rebellin remains the leader by slightly more than half a minute and barring accidents will win the Tour when it finishes tomorrow. The Tour of the Mediterranean looks like once again being determined by the climb over the Faron which comes in the first day of the race. The last stage will be 114 kms between Arles to Marseilles. 1. Max van Heeswijk (Ned) Mapei-Quick Step 5.37.28 2. Jann Kirsipuu (Est) Casino 3. Fabio Baldato (Ita) Ballan Alessio 4. Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Crédit Agricole 5. Michael Blaudzun (Den) Team Home Jack & Jones 6. Davide Rebellin (Ita) Polti 7. Gert Verheyen (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 8. Zbigniew Spruch (Pol) Lampre-Daikin 9. Jay Sweet (Aus) Big Mat-Auber 93 10. Andrei Kivilev (Kaz) Festina s.t. Final GC 1. Davide Rebellin (Ita) Polti 15.03.23 2. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank 0.33 3. Wladimir Belli (Ita) Festina 0.37 4. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank 0.41 5. Patrick Jonker (Ned) Rabobank 0.41 6. Christopher Jenner (NZ) Crédit Agricole 0.46 7. Mirko Celestiono (Ita) Polti 0.47 8. David Moncoutié (Fra) Cofidis 0.53 9. Fabio Baldato (Ita) Ballan Alessio 1.04 10. Axel Merckx (Bel) Mapei-Quickstep 1.05