Crossing the line just moments before the peloton achieved the catch, Rowsell had endured a tantilising 50-kilometre ride of uncertainty as his group of five battled for survival on the road.
Crossing the line just moments before the peloton achieved the catch, Rowsell had endured a tantilising 50-kilometre ride of uncertainty as his group of five battled for survival on the road.
However, the move didn’t always look likely to succeed. With Rowsell and breakaway companion Jack Bauer (Cannondale – Drapac) both within five minutes on general classification, the peloton kept a tight leash on a strong quintet which included Johnny McEvoy (NFTO), Amael Moinard (BMC) and Javier Moreno (Movistar).
Ultimately concerted work by the leaders on heavy roads, along with two crashes in the peloton allowed the gap to sneak out and with 60-kilometres remaining, the lead approached six minutes.
As the race distance wore on, the group continued to work well together, while in the peloton there was some disharmony.
This was enough to keep the motivation and cohesion of the escapees on track and it was only on the final climb of the day – six kilometres before the finish – that the first attacks came.
Holding a lead of one minute was enough for some games to be played as Rowsell acquitted himself to the attacks from World Tour opposition, closing down several moves.
Coming into the final corner a hard-charging peloton could taste the win, but Bauer held enough of an advantage, followed by Moinard and Rowsell, who held of Caleb Ewan (Orica Bike Exchange) at the head of the peloton.
For Rowsell there was also the added bonus of moving up from 16th to 14th on the general classification, by way of collecting bonus seconds on the 194-kilometre stage.
Result – 2016 Tour of Britain
Stage five
1. Jack Bauer Cannondale - Drapac 04:45.25
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3. Erick Rowsell ST
27. Tom Stewart ST
96. Matt Holmes +00:02.19
97. Matt Cronshaw +00:02.53
100. Taylor Gunman +00:03.47
114. Alex Blain +00:08.24
General classification after five stages
1. Julien Vermote Etixx Quickstep 23:07.29
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14. Erick Rowsell +00:04.30
25. Tom Stewart +00:04.55
75. Matt Holmes +00:21.29
103. Taylor Gunman +00:35.15
113. Alex Blain +00:43.18
115. Matt Cronshaw +00:45.03