New Zealand road cyclist Jack Bauer has claimed a stage victory on the Tour of Britain.

Bauer got across the line in a sprint finish to take the fifth stage into Bath on Friday (NZ time).

The Cannondale-Drapac rider was part of a breakaway that slipped out to a five-minute lead before being hauled in.

Bauer held off France's Amael Moinard and Britain's Erick Rowsell in the sprint finish of the 194.5km stage from Aberdere.

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The yellow jersey was retained by Belgian Julien Vermote in the eight-day race.

The stage victory was Bauer's first in Europe and represented a master class ride as he showed the patience to wait to open up a sprint as the peloton bore down.



"At about seven kilometres to go, Moinard (BMC Racing), was the first person to lay his card and attack on the climb. I let him go, tried to hold him at a bridgeable gap, and then put the other two to work," explained Bauer.

"From three kilometres out, I was completely focused on the stage win. Wasn't even considering how close the bunch was behind. I took one look around. I knew they were coming fast. I thought, 'Ok, if the bunch comes no worries.' But I wasn't going to tow the other three to the line."



With less than a kilometre to go, it appeared the break would be caught. Bauer, however, remained cool as the sprinters from the peloton began to close in. He took a leadout from breakaway companion Javier Moreno (Movistar) before kicking toward the line. Bauer said he never looked around inside the final kilometre to see where the peloton was.



"No, no, no," he said. "It's just watch the wheel in front, make sure you're being led out, not leading out."



In the end, Bauer bested Moinard and Erick Rowsell (Madison Genesis).

"I just had a cool head. I didn't plan on being in the break today … but when it came to crunch time I was in position. The group was motivated. So I thought why not have a crack?" Bauer said.

It completed a remarkable comeback for Bauer who broke a femur during the 2015 Tour de France.

"I'm really pleased to be able to compete at this level again, and to be in good physical shape. To be able to win, it's icing on the cake."

The sixth stage features a hilly course that takes the riders 150km from Sidmouth to Haytor in Dartmoor.