Germany’s Max Kanter narrowly missed out on a sprint victory on the fifth stage of the Tour de France. Only the Dutchman Olav Kooij was faster than the Tour debutant from Brandenburg over the 158.3-kilometre route between Lannemezan and Pau. Belgian Tim Merlier finished third. Following a crash just under five kilometres from the finish, the final stretch proved hectic. In the end, only a small group rode together onto the home straight.
There were no changes at the top of the overall standings. Norway’s Torstein Træen defended his lead. The top favourites, Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, are 7 minutes and 53 seconds behind in fourth and fifth place respectively.
After four gruelling opening days, this was the first stage designed with the sprinters in mind. Following the extreme heat the previous day, it was slightly cooler, but still well over 30 degrees Celsius and humid. The breakaway rider, Baptiste Veistroffer, who had attacked immediately after the start, was caught shortly before the finish.
On Thursday, it’s once again the turn of the favourites and the climbers. This Thursday’s stage – the most challenging in the Pyrenees – features 4,100 metres of climbing, including the legendary Col du Tourmalet.
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