Cycling: After today's mountain stage, it's the sprinters' turn again tomorrow in the Tour de France. Because even if the last few kilometers are slightly uphill, the fast men should not miss this opportunity.
Olives & Nougat
Welcome to the region of the olive trees. Because the peloton will roll through Provence tomorrow. In addition, Montélimar is crossed. This city is considered the capital of nougat. Honey and almonds from the area are used for this. We'll be hearing these and other non-cycling stories again tomorrow from the TV commentators. Because the 183,0 kilometer stage from Gap to Privas will probably not be the most exciting from a purely sporting point of view. Only two mountain classifications in the fourth category have to be mastered, which will have no influence on the outcome of the race. Altogether there are many kilometers downhill. In the end, however, 10,0 slightly uphill kilometers await the pros. Of course, this is too easy for class riders and climbers. But will the classic sprinters all actually be able to sprint for the day's victory here?
Highlights of Stage 5 of the 2020 Tour de France
- 13:10 Neutral start in Gap
- 13:20 Sharp start in Gap
- 135,5km to go: intermediate sprint in L'Épine
- 53,0 km before the finish: mountain classification category 4, Col de Serre Colon (4,1 km at 3,7%)
- 16,0 km before the finish: mountain classification category 4, Côte de Saint-Vincent-de-Barrès (2,7 km at 4,2%)
- Arrival in Privas after 183,0 kilometers
Velomotion prognosis: Ewan handles the incline
Even if the last 10 kilometers are only slightly uphill at 2 to 3 percent, they will have an impact on the race result. It is not to be assumed that a puncher has great advantages over a sprinter here, but there will be one or the other fast man who runs out of breath in the last few meters. The heavier the pros are and the less they climb small hills, the more trouble they will have tomorrow. Nevertheless, we believe in a mass sprint that the top sprinters make up among themselves. Our tip this time is Caleb ewan (Lotto – Soudal). The winner of third stage won three stages of the Tour de France last year and is well on the way to doing it again. It's small, manoeuvrable and has proven time and time again that it can cope with easy climbs.
☆☆☆Caleb Ewan
* * Sam Bennett, Peter Sagan
* Edward Theuns, Bryan Coquard, Cees Bol