Cycling-Benjamin Thomas wins Giro stage five after breakaway holds off peloton

Cycling - Giro d'Italia - Stage 5 - Genova to Lucca - Italy - May 8, 2024 Cofidis' Benjamin Thomas celebrates after winning stage 5 REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

(Reuters) -French rider Benjamin Thomas outsprinted his breakaway colleagues to win the fifth stage of the Giro d'Italia on Wednesday, giving the Cofidis team their first victory this year.

The four-man break escaped the peloton after the final intermediate sprint of the day, with 80km left to ride, and held off the chasing pack despite the best efforts of the main sprint contenders' teams.