Riders and spectators alike left Stage Four in the capitol city with suspense and anticipation of the following day’s race; the 19 mile individual time trial in Sedalia, Mo.

The fastest man of the day proved to be Team Garmin-Slipstream’s four-time U.S. Time Trial champion David Zabriskie, who spun his way through the 19 mile course in 36 minutes, 30.49 seconds in Stage Five of the Tour of Missouri. His next closest opponent, Gustav Larsson of Team Saxo Bank, finished a lengthy 30 seconds behind in second place. Rounding off the podium in third place was Tom Zirbel of Team Bissell Pro Cycling.

The time trial may have been the Tour’s moment of truth, no man can hide when riding alone – it’s rider vs. himself. The tour favorites and most notable names were anticipated to perform at a high level in this especially important stage, and the stage’s fastest man from point A to point B could potentially take center stage and all but secure the yellow jersey.

“Today is the day that all of the riders who think that they can win this race [Tour of Missouri] must come out of the shadows and prove they’re worthy of victory,” race commentator Paul Sherwen said prior to the beginning of the race.

With his commanding stage victory, Zabriskie becomes the new general classification leader, and will wear the golden fleece in Stage Six. ‘God of Thunder’ Thor Hushovd of Team Cervelo kept his claim on the green sprints jersey, and Dario Cataldo of Team QuickStep will stay in the white young-rider jersey.

Stage Six is set to start at 1 p.m. on Sept. 12, and is a 110 mile road race venturing from Chillicothe, Mo. to St. Joseph, Mo. The race terrain is visibly flat up to the St. Joseph area, however the region is known for gusty wind bursts this time of the year. It will be a fight against both the peloton and Mother Nature for the competing teams. Team Saxo Bank is expected to race aggressively, as they currently have two riders seated within the top ten in overall standings, and as usual Team Columbia HTC is anticipated to make a bid with their top riders, including inaugural Tour of Missouri winner Geroge Hincapie. Team Saxo Bank is currently the overall top team after five stages. 

By Tour of Missouri Correspondent Tyler Peeples