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Stage 5 preview
Course: This mostly downhill stage includes three hilly ramps that are perfect for the breakaway riders to try and outsmart the sprinters. Don’t expect them to succeed — the few sprint stages at this year’s Tour puts a premium on days like today. A painful category 4 climb comes just 10 kilometers from the finish, and the uphill drag into Privas caters to the versatile fast men.
Favorites: Peter Sagan, Greg Van Avermaet, Giacomo Nizzolo, Matteo Trentin
Jens Voigt’s take: It will be a Peter Sagan day. While this is supposed to be for the sprinters, starting in the town of Gap means you are in the mountains, and you can expect an intense start. Passing Montélimar and then into the Rhône Valley, this route often provides a massive bunch sprint. It’s a slightly uphill finish with 860 kilometers already in the legs.