Rouen – St-Quentin
Distance: 196.5km
Highest point: 205m
Category: Flat
All set for the sprinters
Having zigged to the west, the race zags back to the east and begins its march towards the mountains with this straightforward stage into St-Quentin. Mark Cavendish has won stage 5 of the Tour in three of the past four seasons and is sure to be well backed to continue that run here. There are no difficulties at all. The terrain is ideal for chasing down a small breakaway group, while the finish is straight and wide enough to provide the sprinters with a great stage on which to perform. Tribute will be paid today to Jean Robic, whose 1947 Tour-winning break began at the location of the start.
Jérémy Roy: "Because the route follows one general direction, everything will depend on the weather – if the wind is from a bad angle there will be people everywhere! The sprint teams will try to control the race so it will be difficult to get away."
-
'Negotiations open with some big riders' - Mathieu van der Poel could be surprise 2025 Giro d'Italia stage hunter
Race director Mauro Vegni accepts that Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaad are not expected to ride the Corsa Rosa -
Toon Aerts wins Cyclocross Otegem in closing sprint
Belgian beats Laurens Sweeck and Joran Wyseure to victory -
Here's Tom Pidcock's new team bike for 2025, and here's why we don't think he'll use it
While the new Scott Addict RC Ultimate is impressively light, the Scott Foil is so aero we suspect it will be reserved for the high mountains only -
Sanne Cant takes solo victory at Cyclocross Otegem
Belgian beats Aniek van Alphen and Marion Norbert Riberolle to the win
