Cycling: The fifth stage of the Tour de France led over a total of seven pavés hell of the north. And the spectators also experienced a spectacle like that at Paris-Roubaix.
Due to the heavy rain, two of the originally newly planned paved sections had been removed from the program before the start of the stage. However, this did not ensure greater safety in the field. Marcel Kittel (Gian-Shimano) fell, as did Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), who was able to break away from the field with a few other drivers just a few kilometers after the start.
Chris Froome (Sky) was less fortunate. Last year's winner fell twice on a wet road and had to retire before the first pavé.
At the front, alongside Martin, Lieuwe Westra (Astana) and Matthew Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge) repeatedly ensured the pace in the leading group. Marcus Burghardt (BMC) was initially in this group, but he was ordered back into the field by his team to support his team captain Tejay Van Garderen.
And the Americans desperately needed Zschopauer's help. Similar to Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), he kept losing valuable time on the pavement.
Anders Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp). The latter was initially good on the pavement, but fell in the third sector. At the exit of this sector, Lars Boom and Sep Vanmarcke (both Belkin) had opened up a small lead over Nibali's group. With almost 35 kilometers to go, they also kept their chance of winning the stage - especially since Nibali's only remaining helper, Maksim Iglinsky, also fell in a curve.
At this point, there was still a six-strong team led by Martin. However, they had to defend themselves against the onrushing duo Boom and Vanmarcke. Both were initially able to pull away from the Nibali group, which also included Fabian Cancellara (Trek) and Peter Sagan (Cannondale). Before the fourth sector, however, the Nibali group had closed in on both of them again and the front runners were now in sight.
With 27 kilometers to go, the leading group was in place. At that point, Nibali was 1:16 ahead of Contador, Mollema, Velverde, Talansky, Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) and Van Garderen.
In the fourth from last sector it was Boom again who tried to break away from the group. Peter Sagan tried to follow his attack. Only a few kilometers later he made contact with Boom. Jakob Fuglsang, a teammate of Nibali, was on his rear wheel, and he finally managed to catch up again before the third last sector.
The group around Alberto Contador was different, who, like most of the other favorites, was losing more and more time to the top. This group was almost two minutes behind Nibali with 15 kilometers to go.
On the longest pavé of the day at 3,7 kilometers, the De Wandignies Hamage d'Hornaing, Westra led the lead across the pavement. At times there was even a small gap behind the Astana trio. Only Boom managed to catch up with the three with 11 kilometers to go. Behind them, Sagan fought for the connection with Cancellara on the rear wheel.
In the last sector it was Boom who tried to break away from Nibali and Fuglsang. He also succeeded. And although Nibali set the pace behind them, the Dutchman managed to continuously extend his lead. In Arenberg he finally celebrated the first win by a Dutchman in nine years - solo, in the style of a great!
Behind him, Nibali was happy about dismantling his favourite. The Sicilian drove an outstanding race and gave second place on the day to his helper Fuglsang. Fourth was Sagan, fifth was Cancellara.
Contador lost more than two minutes on Nibali. Things went better for Richie Porte, who like
Valverde, Talansky, Mollema and Van Garderen finished a few seconds before Contador.
Nibali continues to lead in the overall standings. His teammate Fuglsang is now second, two seconds behind. Sagan is third, 44 seconds behind. Porte is 1:54 behind, Talansky 2:05 and Valverde 2:11.