Tour: Van de Walle in day`s breakaway
The fifth stage in the Tour was likely to develop the same as the former one. The route was almost completely flat, except for two hills in the first 40 kilometres. After 6 kilometres Jurgen van de Walle attacked with Jose Ivan Gutierrez and Julien El Fares. The three riders took a lead of 8 minutes quickly, while the peloton enjoyed the sunny weather conditions.
The peloton eventually started the chase, closing the gap bit by bit. When the gap stabilized with 20 kilometres, the escapees start dreaming of the stage win. The bunch interrupted that dream quickly when they acclerated again. "For a moment I thought we would made it, but it`s almost impossible against a chasing peloton. I started a little ill at this Tour, but I`m getting better and better each day. We will try again in the second week, there will be a larger chance to stay away then too", Van de Walle commented.
The peloton caught the escapees in the final five kilometres.The sprinters` teams lead the bunch to the line in Montargis. Mark Cavendish showed he is still one of the fastest sprinters, beating Ciolek and Boasson Hagen. Afterwards there were no big chances in the several classifications. Therefore Jerome Pineau is still wearing the polka dot jersey.
Result stage 5
1. Mark Cavendish (GB)
2. Gerald Ciolek (Ger)
3. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor)
28. Carlos Barredo (Esp)
39. Kevin de Weert (Bel)
100. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra)
140. Jerome Pineau (Fra)
147. Dries Devenyns (Bel)
148. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel)
150. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 0.35
171. Francesco Reda (Ita) 2.27
180. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 3.31
Overall classification after stage 5
1. Fabian Cancellara (Swi)
2. Geraint Thomas (GB) 0.23
3. Cadel Evans (Aus) 0.39
5. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 1.01
81. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 4.44
83. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 4.47
93. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 7.33
120. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 11.23
131. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 14.38
158. Francesco Reda (Ita) 20.38
159. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 20.47
175. Dries Devenyns (Bel) 27.40
Points classification after stage 5
1. Thor Hushovd (Noo) 102 points
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) 88
3. Robbie McEwen (Aus) 81
11. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 44
41. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 15
49. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 12
62. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 10
71. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 5
115. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 2
141. Francesco Reda (Ita) 2
Mountain classification after stage 5
1. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 13 points
2. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 8
3. Rein Taaramae (Est) 8
4. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 6
12. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 2
Youth classification after stage 5
1. Geraint Thomas (GB)
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) 0.46
3. Roman Kreuziger (Tsj) 2.01
27. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 20.24
Team classification after stage 5
1. Team Saxo Bank
2. Garmin-Transitions 0.11
3. Team Sky 0.25
19. Team Quick Step 6.33