Sports

American Tyler Farrar recovered from a nasty bout of sickness to take advantage of a failed tactical gamble from Mark Cavendish and win stage five of the Tour of Spain on Wednesday.

Farrar, who revealed he had thrown up repeatedly during Tuesday''s stage, bounced back in style to take the bunch sprint ahead of Euskaltel rider Koldo Fernandez in second and Cavendish in third, after the Briton broke for the line too early.

Philippe Gilbert of Belgium maintained his lead in the overall standings, 10 seconds ahead of Spain''s Igor Anton, after what he described as an "easy day".

The previous day had been anything but easy for Farrar, who could hardly have dared hope for victory on the 198.8 kilometre run from Guadix to Lorca on Wednesday. "It''s a surprise win," the Garmin rider told reporters. "I vomited six times during Tuesday''s stage and felt really bad.

"A victory in the Tour of Spain is always a massive achievement, but managing to win today is even more special. “It''s also very motivating for the World Championships. I think I''ll have a good chance there."

Before the start of the race, the peloton held a minute''s silence as tribute to double Tour de France winner Laurent Fignon, who died on Tuesday from cancer.

Recent recovery

Farrar was forced out of the Tour de France midway through this year''s race with an arm injury.

Asked how it felt to beat widespread favourite Mark Cavendish, Farrar said: "It''s always great to beat the greatest sprinter in the world. "I don''t know how many stages I can win here. Just taking one victory was my objective so whatever comes next is a bonus."

Cavendish''s team said the Briton had attacked too early in the final sprint. "He risked being closed in by the other riders, so he went for it, but it was too far from the finish," said HTC-Columbia sports director Tristan Hoffman.

Race leader Gilbert had no trouble maintaining his advantage. "We had four riders on the front controlling the break of the day, and it was much less hot than before," Gilbert said. "That made a real difference."

Thursday''s stage six from Caravaca de la Cruz to Murcia could favour riders prepared for a break, rather than the sprinters. A second category climb of the Alto de la Cresta del Gallo, 17 kilometres from the finish, seems certain to shake up the bunch.