Stage 5: Vittel to La planche des belles filles (160.5 km)

After yesterday’s controversial finish(I won’t speak anymore about it), the 1st mountain stage of this year’s tour was infront of us. La Planche des belles filles is the place where if ardent Tour fans remember, Chris Froome(Team Sky) announced himself to the world beating his own team leader Bradley Wiggins and 2011 winner Cadel Evans.

2012: When Chris "Something" became Mr. Chris Froome

It was also here in 2012 when Brad took the Malliot Jaune and carried it all the way to Paris, becoming the 1st British winner of the Tour. And in 2014, it was the “Shark of Messina” Vincenzo Nibali who took the summit and wore the yellow and carried the lead to Paris. It was also the 1st time, that a mountain stage was introduced so early in the Tour.

Route Map

20% at the finish!!!!

The day started off with a “royal” breakaway, featuring some big names like Thomas De Gendt(Lotto Soudal Cycling Team Fanpage), Thomas Voeckler(Team Direct Energie), Philippe Gilbert fan club officiel (Quick-Step Floors Cycling Team), Jan Bakelants (Equipe cycliste AG2R LA MONDIALE), Norwegian Champion Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka) along with Mickaël Delage(Equipe Cycliste FDJ), Dylan van Baarle(Cannondale–Drapac) and Pierre-Luc Périchon(Equipe Fortuneo-Vital Concept). BMC Racing Team kept the breakaway in check, not letting it go more than 2 minutes showing their serious intentions. The Intermediate Sprint was take by Boasson Hagen with Gilbert 2nd and De Gendt 3rd. While among the sprinters because it is open after Sagan is not there, Michael Matthews(Team Sunweb) was 1st, Marcel Kittel(Quickstep-Floors) was 2nd while the French champion Arnaud Démare(FDJ) didn’t attack. At the 1st categorised climb, Cote d’Esmoulieres Bakelants attacked as Perichon followed and they got 2 and 1 points in the KOM competition. After that Gilbert and Bakelants, the 2 Germans continued on till the foot of the 5k 8.9% average gradient climb. That’s where the Team Sky train led by 2014 World Champion Michał Kwiatkowski picked up some serious pace.

Here comes the Sky Train.

Gilbert and Bakelants had a long long day in the lead and in a very funny moment, 4 kms before the summit, just before they were caught by the Peloton, they hugged each other.

Heroes of the day!

Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie) tried to attack but was swept up. At 2.4k to go, 2015 Vuelta a Espana winner and Italian National champion Fabio Aru attacked and no one followed(which Mr. Froome in retrospect said was bit of a mistake)

After putting in almost 100 meters between him and the Peloton, Aru settled into a rhythm riding up the 14% section at 19 kmph. Simon Yates(ORICA-SCOTT) attacked, Geraint Thomas and Froomey followed him. Meters later, Froomey attacked! And while all major rivals Richie Porte(BMC), Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team). Dan Martin(Quickstep-Floors), Romain Bardet(Ag2R La Mondaile) followed Thomas and Alberto Contador(Trek-Segafredo) were dropped. Seconds later, and no surprises(I don’t understand his hype and I never will), Quintana was dropped! Martin took over the pace making as him, Froomey, Bardet and Porte tried to chase down the gallant Aru. The last bit of the climb is 20%, but nothing was too steep for Fabio Aru today as he heroically took the Stage win and 10 bonus seconds.

The Italian Champion. 2 days in a row for National Champs, yesterday France, today Italy!

Dan Martin rolled in 2nd and Froomey rolled in 3rd to take the Yellow Jersey. Porte was 4th.

So, today’s standings:

Overall Standings:

And because I don’t care about who wins the green jersey, I won’t write the points here. For me he is the green jersey:

And jersey wearers after Stage 5:

That’s all folks! #TDF2017