American pro Chad Haga of Team Sunweb is a four-year veteran at the World Tour level, an avid pianist, and a college graduate with a degree in engineering. Follow along as he reports from the 2017 Vuelta a Espana.

I know that I've been deep in the rhythm of the race because all the stages are starting to blur together. Asking me to remember what happened on stage 5 is akin to my asking you what you had for lunch on Wednesday.

Here's what I do know about the last several stages: the starts have been full of attacks, sometimes for nearly an hour, which starts to stretch our hydration pretty thin. We've taken to starting with three bottles every day, which helps combat the daily 10km neutral section. Ever since Sky showed their willingness to let the stage wins go to breakaways, it seems everyone wants to be in them!

I do remember that stage 5 was my first day in my new role, one I like to think of as "Shepherd." Essentially, I'm focused on sticking with Wilco from the start, making sure he stays out of trouble and out of the wind, at the front when he needs to be, and moving him there when he's not. It's a role I've taken a liking to, partly because of the challenge. I have to always be switched on, making sure he's where he needs to be, and always tracking him in my periphery through every corner so that when we are in the sprinting out of the corner in the gutter with crosswinds, I can step out into the wind and make his day easier. Then when the race really starts, I set up the leadout train for the final climb and spin my way to the finish, resting up for the next day. It makes for a tiring day with a large workload, but I enjoy it, and for the time being we want the young guys to save some energy for the coming weeks.

There's nothing you can do at 60kph besides wait for the sound of crashing, and it came soon enough

There's been an uptick in crashes the last couple of days, which isn't surprising given that it's been quite windy and guys are tiring. I've had a few close calls (everyone has), a couple of times avoiding a crash with sheer willpower, refusing to fall over. Today I pushed a fallen bike along for a couple seconds until I could come to a stop. Some crashes, unfortunately, are due simply to careless spectators. I and my teammates saw the mountain bike leaning on our side of the guardrail as we exited a town single file, headed for the gutter in the crosswind. There's nothing you can do at 60kph besides wait for the sound of crashing, and it came soon enough, taking a few riders out of the race, including our national champion, Larry Warbasse.

I turned 29 yesterday, the third time I've celebrated my birthday at the Vuelta. The day began with the news that Warren Barguil would not be starting, but anyone who thinks we have the time or energy to dwell on such a decision has never raced a grand tour. Our team management made their decision, and we focused on the job at hand. We're starting to really gel as a team and have delivered Wilco and Sam to the final climb in perfect position the past two days, something we can be proud of. For their part, Wilco and Sam are hitting their stride, and I expect to see Wilco climbing up the GC ladder in the coming stages.

Now it's time for massage, then dinner. Hopefully my body clock takes the day off tomorrow and I can sleep past 8 AM (that is, if nobody comes knocking at 7 for an anti-doping control). If not, perhaps a nap in the afternoon? Relaxing will be the order of the day.

Related Links:

• Chad Haga's Stage 1-4 Diary
• Vuelta Results
• Vuelta Stage Recaps

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