Navarro wins 5th stage of Dauphine

Jun 11, 2010 - 4:22 PM GRENOBLE, France(AP) -- Daniel Navarro of Spain won the fifth stage of the Criterium du Dauphine with a solo effort in the last 25 miles Friday, while Janez Brajkovic of Slovenia retained the overall lead.

Navarro, a teammate of two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador in the Astana team, clinched the first win of his pro career after to a bold attack on the punishing climb to Chamrousse.

"I'm really happy to get my first win here at the Dauphine," Navarro said. "Alberto told me to try and go for myself. I've tried my luck and it worked out."

Navarro finished ahead of Eros Capecchi of Italy and Thibaut Pinot of France, who were 34 seconds back, in the 89-mile race from Serre-Chevalier to Grenoble in the French Alps.

Brajkovic leads Tejay Van Garderen of the United States by 1 minute, 15 seconds in the overall standings, with Contador 1:41 back.

Navarro maintained his lead in the downhill toward Grenoble, while the main pack, which included Brajkovic and Contador, crossed the line 3:04 back.

The sixth stage Saturday is a 94-mile ride from Crolles to the summit of L'Alpe d'Huez.