Barcelona - Maximilian Schachmann held on after a long breakaway to win the flat fifth stage of the Tour de Catalonia to Sant Cugat del Valles on Friday.
The German, who rides for Bora-Hansgrohe and was the sole survivor of an early breakaway, finished 12 seconds clear of the pack at the end of the 188.1 kilometre stage.
Michael Matthews, an Australian with Sunweb who had won stage two, powered to second place.
Schachmann told Eurosport that in the final 40 kilometres "the group wasn't working very well, so I attacked and I did one of my biggest rides."
It was his second victory this season and his second in the Tour of Catalonia, where he took a stage last season.
"I like this race," the 25-year-old said.
Colombian Miguel Angel Lopez of Astana retained his 14 second lead over Briton Adam Yates of Mitchelton Scott at the top of the overall standings.
Egan Bernal of Sky walked in behind the main pack carrying his bicycle on his shoulder after suffering a mechanical problem.