The first day in the mountains was a struggle for some, and a joy for others. In the end there is a new yellow jersey wearer and a few more shakeups in the general classification standings.
Tour de France Stage 5 Analysis
Van Avermaet Goes The Distance
It was a day to remember for Greg Van Avermaet, as he claims his first yellow jersey at the Tour de France. The Belgian rider has never led a grand tour in his career and will be able to enjoy it for at least two more days.
The Belgian rider was involved in an early breakaway that eventually was split into two riders. Thomas De Gendt joined his fellow countryman at the front, as both riders took on the final climbs of the day. The BMC rider was on his own on the last two climbs, and found his way to the finish without an incident. He was all smiles when he crossed the finish. A truly great day for Belgium and BMC.
General Classification Shakeups
In the general classification race the main contenders were all there at the finish. Unfortunately, Alberto Contador was one of the only riders to fall behind. The Spaniard had another tough day, as he fell back to well over a minute behind the other favorites. Going into the weekend stages the Tinkoff rider will have his work cut out for him. In hindsight his two crashes in the first two days may still be having an effect on him.
Julian Alaphilippe managed to hold on to main group of riders to move into second place in the standings after he appeared to be in some difficulty going up the climbs. In the end he was able to make it to the top of the final climb and begin the descent. His efforts will allow him to keep the young riders jersey as well.
Nibali Goes Backwards
The Giro d’ Italia winner is on domestique duties for Fabio Aru in the tour this year. However, in today’s stage he was not with his teammate up the final climbs. He fell off early and it was a little puzzling to see him not riding in support. Perhaps this was planned by Astana since it was an uncharacteristic move, but it still made a few scratch their heads.
Tweets Of The Day
https://twitter.com/BMCProTeam/status/750729696720150532
Nibali on losing time: "It's normal, nothing strange happened. I am not here for the GC" — Pantani's Giro-Tour double of '98 remains safe
— Andrew Hood (@EuroHoody) July 6, 2016
Quand @alafpolak s'amuse avec @GDiGrazia ! 😂 #TDF2016 #LesRP pic.twitter.com/TdahfxJ1yZ
— Le Gruppetto (@LeGruppetto) July 4, 2016
Stage Highlights
Van Aver-mate le peloton ! / @GregVanAvermaet wins ! #TDF2016 pic.twitter.com/eqB57Ldd3T
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 6, 2016
Stage Stats
Contador made it up to the Font de Cere at 25.6kmh, while Quintana & the other favourites averaged 26.1kmh. #TDFdata pic.twitter.com/vMbdNfvqPV
— letourdata (@letourdata) July 6, 2016
.@TeamSky and @tinkoff_team are setting the pace in the Peloton, but it's probably too late. #TDFdata #TDF2016 pic.twitter.com/Qevi3jC1o4
— letourdata (@letourdata) July 6, 2016
Alaphilippe would be the youngest #MaillotJaune since Cancellara in 2004; and Valverde the oldest since Elli in 2000 https://t.co/EmdSzAQWjY
— letourdata (@letourdata) July 6, 2016
Stage Results
Top 10 de l'étape 5 / of the stage 5! #TDF2016 pic.twitter.com/mQjESXcZHQ
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 6, 2016
General Classification
Nouveau top 10 / New top 10. #TDF2016 pic.twitter.com/3UEa0AGI07
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 6, 2016
Points Classification
- Peter Sagan 150 Pts
- Mark Cavendish 146 Pts
- Marcel Kittel 142 Pts
- Bryan Coquard 89 Pts
- Andre Greipel 87 Pts
Young Rider Classification
- Julian Alaphilippe
- Warren Barguil
- Wilco Kelderman
- Adam Yates
- Louis Meintjes
Mountain Classification
- Thomas De Gendt 13 Pts
- Greg Van Avermaet 11 Pts
- Jasper Stuyven 5 Pts
- Andriy Grivko
- Paul Voss
Team Classification
- BMC
- Sky
- Movistar
- Tinkoff
- Astana
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