Italy's Damiano Cunego, riding for Lampre, won Friday's penultimate fifth stage of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco (the Tour of the Basque Country), a 162km run between Vitoria and Orio.

Spain's Alberto Contador crossed the line in second in the same time as Cunego to retain the overall lead he's held since the first stage.

Cunego lies second, eight seconds adrift.

The day's ride was held in hostile weather and was marked by numerous falls just before the finish triggered by a near-the-line collision between Ricardo Ricco and David Herrero.

Saturday's sixth and final stage is an individual 20km time trial in Orio.