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."
-
'For some reason, my legs aren't responding as they should' - Carlos Rodríguez looking for answers to unexplained subpar form at the Vuelta a España
Netcompany-Ineos racer lost 22 minutes in Andorra stage, main goal to support Oscar Onley -
UCI Mountain Bike World Championships: Italy comes from behind to claim team relay
Switzerland, USA round out podium in opening day at Val di Sole -
'I might still have a stage win in me' - Mads Pedersen sacrifices rare sprint chance for Vuelta crosswind gambit that falls short
Lidl-Trek uses sprint energy to work for Mattias Skjelmose -
'From a spectator's perspective, it's awesome' - Michael Woods says gravel section on stage 6 of 2026 Vuelta a España is 'ambush territory'
Four-time Grand Tour stage winner expects teams will address climbing styles and 'protocols around flats'
