Preview on Stage 5 of the Tour de France 2024

The fifth stage from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Saint-Vulbas, spanning 177.4 kilometers, offers the second big chance for top sprinters to secure a win in this Tour de France. Exiting the Alps, this stage features two fourth-category climbs as it heads into the Auvergne.

Stage 5 | 3 July | Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Saint-Vulbas | 177.4 km | 1,050 m elevation gain

After just one day in the high mountains, the peloton leaves the Alps. Starting from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the fifth stage quickly descends out of the mountains. The first 50 kilometers are mostly downhill, making it a potentially fast race with numerous breakaway attempts. Around kilometer 70, the uncategorized but lengthy 12-kilometer climb to the Col de Couz begins, offering a chance to escape or drop sprinters if the pace is high enough.

After climbing the Côte du Cheval Blanc (1.5 kilometers at 4.3 percent), a fourth-category climb, the riders will reach the sprint point in Aoste at kilometer 123.2. The route then follows the Rhône, passing over the Côte de Lhuis (3 kilometers at 4.8 percent) before reaching the finish in Saint-Vulbas.

Favorites Watch: Stage Win and Yellow Jersey

Several sprinters will be seeking redemption after stage three. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) went too early and lost power towards the end. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), a notable crash victim 2.2 kilometers from the finish, will also be eager to make amends.

Stage winner Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) will carry momentum and confidence into the finale. Fabio Jakobsen (dsm-firmenich PostNL) also looked strong on stage three after two tough opening days. But the competition is stiff, with Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco AlUla), Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Dstny), and a resurgent Fernando Gaviria (Movistar).

For a Royal Sprint to occur in Saint Vulbas, the sprinters’ teams need to control the race and reel in any breakaways. This task won’t be as straightforward as it was on stage three.

Classifications for Stage 5

Sprint Classifications

• Aoste | Race kilometer 123.2

Mountain Classifications

• Côte du Cheval Blanc | Category 4 | Race kilometer 104.6
• Côte de Lhuis | Category 4 | Race kilometer 142.8