Stage 5 - Wednesday, July 9: Cholet - Châteauroux, 232km
This is the longest stage of this year's Tour. However, with no classified climbs it will be far...
This is the longest stage of this year's Tour. However, with no classified climbs it will be far from the toughest as it heads eastwards towards the centre of France. Once again, the flat straight roads give every advantage to the sprinters' teams in the last chance before the terrain gets decidedly hillier tomorrow. Aspiring breakaway specialists may have other ideas though, and those who took it a bit easy in the time trial yesterday might fancy a tilt at this one.
This is the third Tour de France to feature the town of Cholet, and the second stage of this year's race as it hosted both the start and finish of yesterday's time trial.
Châteauroux has only hosted the Tour de France once before – in 1998 – when Mario Cipollini finally managed to open his account that year after a first week of crashes and bad luck. The route is slightly different – and a few kilometres longer – but the stage start and finish are the same as those ten years ago.
Apart from the Château Raoul, that gives the city its name, Châteauroux's big claim to fame is that it was the birthplace of French acting legend Gérard Depardieu.
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
A crash, a chase and a test passed – Sarah Gigante fifth on first Vuelta Femenina summit finish
'It was the first time to test my climbing legs against the top GC riders' says Australian AG Insurance-Soudal rider -
Punchy climbs, a summit finish and the Pogačar factor – Giro d'Italia braced for toughest start
How the opening weekend in Piedmont can blow the corsa rosa apart from the outset -
How to watch stage 1, 2 and 3 of the 2024 Giro d'Italia
The mountains come in the first weekend so don't miss a minute as Tadej Pogačar makes his debut -
‘White jersey would be a dream’ – Cian Uijtdebroeks ready for Pogačar offensive at Giro d’Italia
Belgian targets high overall finish on Visma-Lease a Bike team built for stage wins