Alejandro Valverde won the fifth stage of the Tour of the Basque Country today ©Getty Images

Spain's Alejandro Valverde edged closer to winning his first Tour of the Basque Country today as he claimed the lead in the overall classification by winning the fifth stage of the race.

The Movistar rider, who won the overall International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour crown in 2015, was quickest on the 139.8 kilometres route from Bilbao to Eibar and crossed the line in a time of 3 hours 26min 32sec.

France's Romain Bardet of AG2R La Mondiale and Colombia's Rigoberto Uran of Cannondale-Drapac finished in second and third respectively.

A group of 21 riders made an early break from the peloton in the opening phase of the stage, although only The Netherlands' Laurens ten Dam of Sunweb and Dimension Data's Omar Fraile of Spain could sustain the challenge.

The two remained out in front for a large portion of the race but were eventually caught with around 50km to go.

As the race approached the final climb Canada's Michael Woods of Cannondale-Drapac launched an attack, and was quickly followed by Spaniard Alberto Contador, Valverde and Sergio Henao of Colombia.

Valverde, Contador, Bardet, Uran and Spain's Samuel Sanchez eventually fought their way back to the front of the field before Sanchez crashed after attempting to make a charge himself.

Following today's victory Alejandro Valverde now leads the race's overall classification ©Getty Images
Following today's victory Alejandro Valverde now leads the race's overall classification ©Getty Images

It was Valverde who launched the most pivotal attack, however, as he easily took the victory in front of Bardet and Uran.

Contador finished three seconds behind the stage winner.

As a result of today's win Valverde has now moved into the lead in the overall classification with an overall time of 20:05:18. 

The previous leader, Quick-Step Floors' David de la Cruz, dropped to 10th overall after the Spaniard finished in the same position today.

Bardet is second overall while Uran occupies third place.

Steve Cummings of Great Britain is likely to need surgery after suffering multiple injuries in a crash yesterday.

Cummings, a stage winner at the Tour de France in both 2015 and 2016, was forced to quit the race after he reportedly suffered a fractured collarbone, scapula and sternum.

The incident took place with around 30km remaining and wiped out a number of other riders.

Action is due to conclude tomorrow with the sixth and final stage, a 27.7km time trial.