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Benjamin Diemer claims fifth stage of Taiwan Tour

German Benjamin Diemer of the Merida Europe Team blasted ahead in the last 500m of the fifth stage of the Tour de Taiwan yesterday, winning the day's 99km course in a time of 2:17.36.

Diemer credited his teammates with giving him the wind protection needed before making his final charge, and said that as a rookie, winning the stage was a better finish than he expected.

After being overtaken at the last moment on Wednesday by the Giant Asia Racing Team in Changhua, where bicycle manufacturing company Meridia is located, the team delighted the company's employees cheering by the side of the road yesterday with a win.

Gone were the flat highways and natural scenery from Wednesday's stage four in Changhua County, as competitors came into the city to complete 15 laps on a 6.6km course through the streets of Taichung.

The race began at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, snaking through Chongte, Sungchu and Huanchung roads before returning to the finish.

American Frank Pipp of Health Net Presented by Maxxis continues to hold first place with a combined time of 12:23.26. Australian Dean Windsor of Drapac Porche is 1.08 behind in second, while Japan's Satoshi Hirose of the Asian Racing Team is in third.

In the overall team standings, Drapac Porche is in first, followed by Health Net Presented by Maxis in second and Giant Asia Racing Team in third.

Today will be a test of speed and endurance, as stage six will be the longest section of the Tour at 188.9km. Returning back to Changhua County, competitors will begin at Haipu Elementary School in Lugang Township (鹿港) at 9am, then cross into Taipei County to finish at the Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology in Bali Township (八里).
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