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There was no denying Andre Greipel as he ambushed his rivals to claim a second stage victory at the 2015 Tour de France ahead of Peter Sagan and Mark Cavendish.
Despite faint hopes from the riders that day five of the 2015 Tour de France might prove less stressful a combination of inclement weather and a series of crashes made sure those dreams were a distant reality. Claiming the scalp of Team Cofidis’ French sprinter Nacer Bouhanni just 12 kilometres in, even a Gendarme motorcycle becoming a crash victim.
Afraid of letting many riders escape up the road the breakaway of the day was eventually formed by a lone rider from Bretagne-Seche Environnement, Pierre-Luc Perichon. Kept on a tight leash by the peloton, often led by Etixx – Quick-Step, the Frenchman struggled to extend his maximum advantage past the three minute mark before being caught shortly after the intermediate sprint.
With just one escapee up the road the intermediate sprint became a huge point of contention for the sprinters in the fight for the coveted Maillot Vert of the Points Classification. Once again Andre Greipel would prove the strongest as he outsprinted his rivals to second place to extend his lead in the competition.
Due to numerous crashes and the threat of crosswinds, which split the race several times, the teams of the general classification contenders would come to dominate the front of the peloton as a form of protection. It would prove to be a wise move when 25 kilometres from the finishing line slippery road conditions brought down approximately two third of the surviving peloton, continuing Thibaut Pinot’s streak of misfortune.
As the speed of the peloton increased nearing the finishing line in Amiens a fierce war for position broke out within the peloton. With everyone wanting a seat at the front of the bunch the peloton was in a state of flux as teams took it in turns to try and overtake each other. Continuing well past the three kilometre to go mark, Stage 5’s sprint finish proved difficult for the sprint trains to dominate.
Another sprint into a tiring headwind, similar to Stage 2 to Zélande, Alexander Kristoff opened up the sprint early after running out of lead out men to protect him from the wind. Soon after Arnaud Démare and Mark Cavendish would respond in kind. However, Andre Greipel would prove to be the best positioned on the day after not exposing himself to the wind too early by sitting fourth wheel behind Arnaud Démare.
Opening up the afterburners after the lead trio had tired themselves out before the line no one could best Andre Greipel’s raw power. Again Tinkoff – Saxo’s Peter Sagan would have to settle for second place behind ‘the Gorilla’, Mark Cavendish rounding out the podium in third.
2015 Tour de France – Stage 5 Results:
01. Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal)
02. Peter Sagan (Tinkoff – Saxo)
03. Mark Cavendish (Etixx – Quick-Step)
04. Alexander Kristoff (Team Katusha)
05. Edvald Boasson Hagen (MTN – Qhubeka)
06. John Degenkolb (Giant – Alpecin)
07. Arnaud Démare (FDJ)
08. Bryan Coquard (Team Europcar)
09. Davide Cimolai (Lampre – Merida)
10. Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing)
2015 Tour de France – General Classification after Stage 5:
01. Tony Martin (Etixx – Quick-Step)… 17:19:26
02. Christopher Froome (Team Sky)… +0:12″
03. Tejay Van Garderen (BMC Racing)… +0:25″
04. Peter Sagan (Tinkoff – Saxo)… +0:33″
05. Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal)… +0:38″
06. Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing)… +0:40″
07. Rigoberto Uran (Etixx – Quick-Step)… +0:46″
08. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff – Saxo)… +0:48″
09. Geraint Thomas (Team Sky)… +1:15″
10. Zdenek Stybar (Etixx – Quick-Step)… +1:16″
There have been no easy stages on the 2015 Tour de France so far and Stage 5 looks like it could be no different. Join The Roar for live coverage of Stage 5 from 10:00pm (AEST).
Beginning in Arras and journeying 189.5 kilometres to Amiens, today’s stage on paper is one for the sprinters. However, current weather forecasts are predicting strong winds, with a high chance of crosswinds, and a moderate chance of rain.
Vulnerable to crosswinds throughout much of the parcours, the general classification contenders will need to be on high alert again if the forecasts are correct. The danger should pass once the peloton reach Fouilloy and turn left towards Amiens with 17.5 kilometres to go, with a constant headwind predicted from then on.
With today’s sprint predicted to be in to a headwind, the protection role the lead-out trains play for their sprinters will be of extra importance. A surefire way of losing the sprint will be launching it too soon and running out of momentum pushing in to a metaphorical brick wall.
Despite having the added responsibility of the Maillot Jaune after Tony Martin finally fulfilled his ambition of pulling on the jersey, Mark Cavendish and Etixx – Quick-Step are the leading favourites to win today’s stage. While the team will have to chase the breakaway from kilometre zero, the morale boost having the Maillot Jaune offers could adequately compensate.
Momentum will be behind Lotto Soudal’s Andre Greipel however, after emerging victorious on the difficult stage to Zélande on day two. While the Belgium team have not yet suffered any abandonments, there lead out train could be compromised by the battering key lead out man Greg Henderson suffered during the massive crash on Stage 3.
The dark horse for today’s stage could surprisingly be Nacer Bouhanni of Team Cofidis. Although the Frenchman was a doubt to even begin the race due to injuries sustained in during the French National Road Championships he has proven quite resilient so far. Managing to make the lead group after numerous splits on stage two, before crashing out of contention, and finishing sixth yesterday over the cobbles suggest Bouhanni is in good form.
While Team Katusha and Alexander Kristoff came to the 2015 Tour de France with grand ambitions of competing for the Maillot Vert a series of misfortunes have ruined Kristoff’s chances of victory. However, with several stages still remaining the Norwegian still has several opportunities to try and claim at least one stage victory. As long as misfortune doesn’t strike him down yet again expect Kristoff to be a real contender.
Other potential outsiders for the stage victory include John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin), Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo), Tyler Farrar or Edvald Boasson Hagen (MTN-Qhubeka), Davide Cimolai (Lampre-Merida), Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18), Bryan Coquard (Europcar) and Arnaud Démare (FDJ).
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