As it happened: Huge crash influences the GC and the stage as yellow jersey changes hands

Bonjour and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 5 of the Tour de France Femmes!

It is day four but stage five of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes. The race seems to be flying by this week as we are already over half way. 

Today, the weather has come back for the riders with sunny spells and temperatures around the low 20s. Which will be appreciated after the rain of yesterday.

The race also actually makes it's way into France after about 60km of today. 

The organisers are saying this is the last day for the sprinters. However, this isn't an easy course by any stretch of the imagination and will really challenge the purest of sprints such as green jersey, Charlotte Kool (DFP). However, expect the likes of Marianne Vos (TVL) and Lorena Wiebes (SDW) to absolutely be involved. 

The final climb up the Côte de Montois-la-Montagne, which is 1.7km at an average gradient of 6% doesn't descent immediately after going through the QoM point. In fact, it carries on climbing to the second bonus sprint of the race at Malancourt-la-Montagne with 6", 4" and 2" available. Potentially a point for the race to break up.

Going into the fifth stage, the top three in GC look like this:

1. Demi Vollering (NED) SD Worx-Protime 7:40'10"
2. Puck Pieterse (NED) Fenix-Deceuninck +22"
3. Kasia Niewiadoma (POL) Canyon-SRAM +34"

See full standings in all competitions in the link below...

>>> The current GC standings at the Tour de France Femmes 2024 

It is a special bike day for Puck PIeterse (FED) as she wears the polka dot jersey today after taking 10 points in yesterday's stage. She leads that competition by just one point over Silvia Persico (UAD). Pieterse also holds the white jersey for best young rider. That jersey is being worn by Shirin van Anrooij (LTK) today. 

Yellow jersey, Demi Vollering (SDW), has no regrets after losing to Puck Pieterse (FED) on the line yesterday saying how much she likes the young Dutch rider...

>>> 'No regrets' for Demi Vollering in photo-finish sprint against Puck Pieterse

It was the same old issue for Kasia Niewiadoma (CSR) in yesterday's finale. The Polish rider isn't slow. But, compared to Pieterse (FED) and Vollering (SDW) she lacks the punch needed...

>>> ‘Feel like I’m used to losing sprints’ - Kasia Niewiadoma misses stage win but moves to third overall at Tour de France Femmes 

And finally from our newsroom this morning, reaction from Puck Pieterse (FED) after Olympic disappointment in the mountain bike to Tour de France Femmes glory on the road bike... 

>>> From Olympic mountain bike to Tour de France Femmes victory - Puck Pieterse can do it all

Team sign on and presentation is well underway in Bastogne...

One rider who isn't starting today is Polish sprinter, Daria Pikulik (HPH). She finished 6th on stage one a day after winning silver in the Olympics on the velodrome. But she was dropped very early yesterday and was clearly suffering. 

Neutral start

The riders have started the neutralised zone for stage five. They are due to start racing in roughly 10 minutes from now. 

152.5km to go

The flag is waved and the racing begins in Bastogne! 

Attack!

Elena Pirrone (CGS)

She launches early and solo but has a very small gap on the bunch. 

The gap to Pirrone (CGS) stretches to 20" as the peloton appear to be happy enough with the situation. Pirrone will likely hope for some company, though. 

Uno-X Mobility up the pace in the peloton. The gap to Pirrone (CGS) has stretched to 30" but is now plummeting and is at 15" currently. 

Attack

Michaela Drummond (ARK)

She is trying to bridge to Pirrone (CGS) with a very small gap on the bunch. 

Pirrone (CGS) is joined by Drummond (ARK) and they quickly rebuild their lead to 20" on the peloton. 

Mechanical

Carina Schrempf (FED)

The gap is at 25" with Uno-X Mobility still leading the pacing in the peloton. 

And the pace from Uno-X Mobility is, once again, bringing the gap down. 15" is now the gap. They don't seem too keen on letting a break go. Not clear why as they have made no attempt to join one themselves. 

Attack

20" up to the leaders with a rider from Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi now trying to bridge the gap.

Former polka dot jersey, Cristina Tonetti (LAB) is the rider trying to join the two leaders. She is 20" behind with the peloton at 30". 

Onto the first climb of the day, the third category Côte de Hotte. 1.2km at 7.9%. Tonetti (LAB) currently losing more time to the leaders and is slipping back towards the peloton. 

140km to go

Tonetti (LAB) now 25" behind Pirrone (CGS) and Drummond (ARK) with the peloton just 5" further back. 

Caught

Tonetti (LAB)

The peloton swallow up the Italian rider and are still at 30" behind Pirrone (CGS) and Drummond (ARK). 

Mechanical

Alice Towers (CSR)

Attack

A rider from UAE Team ADQ has launched and is 20" behind the leaders on the first climb of the day. Peloton at 25". 

Caught

All breakaway riders are now caught. The gap has suddenly disappeared on the steep gradients. 

QoM (Côte de Hotte)

1. Elena Pirrone (CGS) 3pts
2. Michaela Drummond (ARK) 2pts
3. Silvia Persico (UAD) 1pt

The break just managed to hold on for the QoM. It was Persico (UAD) trying to bridge. Now all back together. 

Attack

Two riders get a small gap. One from Uno-X Mobility and one from Visma-Lease a Bike. 

The two riders caught and now six riders took a small gap. But that is swiftly dragged back as well. No breakaway is being allowed an inch today. 

Abandon

Špela Kern (COF)

With Persico (UAD) taking that one point on the first QoM of the day, she now goes level with Pieterse (FED) in that competition with 10 points each. 

Attack

Loes Adegeest (FST)

The Dutch rider goes up the road with a gap of 15" over the peloton. 

DSM-Firmenich-PostNL leading the chase. The gap had gone up to 18" but now down to 10" again. 

40km to the second climb of the day, the Côte de Saint-Pancré. Just two and one point(s) available. 

The gap between Adegeest (FST) and the peloton seems to have stabilised at 10".

Caught

Loes Adegeest (FST)

Nothing of note coming up on the profile, but DSM-Firmenich-PostNL want to keep the tempo reasonably high. 

120km to go

Just over 30km into the race. The average speed so far has been just over 39kph. 

There's no more horsing around in the peloton and the race appears to have calmed with no riders up the road. 

Attack!

Olivia Baril (MOV)
Marthe Truyen (FED)

Lily Williams (HPH) joins Baril (MOV) and Truyen (FED). They have 6" on the peloton. 

Five riders now out front but the peloton is just 5" behind them. This could be the move that goes but the peloton doesn't seem keen. 

Caught

That's that once again. The breakaway is dragged back as too many riders tried to join. SD Worx-Protime weren't happy with the composition made up of very strong riders. 

110km to go

The riders are well into the stage now. No breakaway has got more than 35" so far and that was the very early move of Elena Pirrone (CGS). The rest have struggled to get 20". 

The peloton is now riding at a very high speed. Strung out in one long line. 

Multiple moves going off the front of the peloton, but nothing sticking for the moment. 

Attack

Wilma Aintila (LTD)

The Finnish rider has 10" on the peloton. 

Aintila (LTD) has a gap of 20" over the peloton. 

And, once again, the gap falls and is now at 10" for Aintila (LTD). 

100km to go

Several riders going back to the cars for new bidons and food. Aintila (LTD) now has a gap of 15" over the peloton. 

Back down to 10" between the peloton and Aintila (LTD). 

Aintila (LTD) now has only got 5" over the peloton. The break is about to be done again. 

Attack

Another rider bridges to Aintila (LTD). Still 5" gap. 

Three riders now up the road with a gap of 10" on the peloton. 

One of the riders who has bridged to the break rides for Roland. Aintila (LTD) is still up the road with them. 

Attack

Elena Pirrone (CGS)

The Roland rider caught and dropped the other breakaway riders who have been caught by the peloton according to race radio but it seems unclear for the moment. 

The leaders are, indeed, still made up of three riders. Likely Pirrone (CGS), Aintila (LTD) and one other rider. Awaiting confirmation of this. 

Breakaway:

Amandine Fouquenet (ARK)
Elena Pirrone (CGS)
Wilma Aintila (LTD)

Peloton +35"

Liv-AlUla-Jayco leading the peloton currently with a gap of 35" up to the three rider breakaway. 

The gap is extending and has made it up to 40" between the break and the peloton. Around 7km to the second QoM of the day, the Côte de Saint-Pancré. 

90km to go

The break have 50" on the peloton. 

The race enters France for the first time in the Tour de France Femmes 2024... We are 64km into stage five of eight...

Counter attack

Riders can see the move up the road is being allowed almost a minute and want to join. They are trying to bridge. 

The counter attack said to be:

Niamh Fisher-Black (SDW)
Sheyla Gutiérrez (MOV)
Simone Boilard (UXM)

However, while they shut the gap to just 22", they have been caught by the peloton. 

Suddenly, a group of around 15 riders are away from the peloton and trying to join the leaders. 

This large counter attacking move are 12" back on the peloton with the peloton 20" down on the leaders. 

The large counter attack has been caught. 

Caught

The breakaway has been caught. 

Attack

A rider from Movistar launches a new move as the race goes onto the second QoM of the day, the Côte de Saint-Pancré. 1.5km at 3.9%. 

Green jersey struggling

Charlotte Kool (DFP)

The leader of the points standings is struggling to hold onto the peloton. 

The race has split into four groups. All the main GC leaders in the front group. Green jersey, Kool (DFP), in the second group on the road. 

This would be a nice opportunity for Silvia Persico (UAD) to go into the lead of the QoM standings with 2 and 1 point(s) available at the top of the climb. 

QoM (Côte de Saint-Pancré)

1. Puck Pieterse (FED) 2pts
2. Justine Ghekiere (AGS) 1pt

Pieterse (FED) extends her lead in the QoM classification by two more points, taking her two points ahead of Persico (UAD). 

Attack

Loes Adegeest (FST)

The Dutch rider goes for her second solo move of the stage. 

Just 5km to the next climb of the day, the Côte de Fermont which is 1.5km at 4.6% average gradient. 

Adegeest (FST) has 18" gap on the peloton. Kool (DFP) is now said to be about 30" behind the peloton. 

Adegeest (FST) leads the race onto the Côte de Fermont. SD Worx-Protime leading the peloton with Majerus and Bredewold looking after Vollering and Wiebes. 

QoM (Côte de Fermont)

1. Loes Adegeest (FST) 2pts
2. Silvia Persico (UAD) 1pt

Persico (UAD) launching and sprinting hard to the line. Pieterse (FED) didn't want to lose energy and sat up to save the legs for later in the stage and the rest of the race. 

Kool (DFP) is now 1'10" behind the peloton. 

70km to go

Liv-AlUla-Jayco and Lidl-Trek leading the peloton. Adegeest (FST) leads them by 17". Kool (DFP) 1'00" behind the bunch. 

Attack

Fem van Empel (TVL)
Julie van de Velde (AGS)

This is a very strong counter attacking duo too try and bridge to Loes Adegeest (FST). 

Charlotte Kool (DFP) makes it back to the peloton yet again. 

Adegeest (FST) is joined by Van de Velde (AGS) and Van Empel (TVL). They have 42" on the peloton now. 

20km to the intermediate sprint in Mercy-le-Haut. 

Attack in peloton

Maaike Coljé (ARK)

She has a 55" gap to close. Lots of looking around in the peloton. 

Attack in peloton

Several riders trying to get clear but SD Worx-Protime are marking the moves now with Niamh Fisher-Black (SDW) following everything. 

Attack in peloton

Emma Norsgaard (MOV)
Rachele Barbieri (DFP)

They catch Maaike Coljé (ARK) but then the peloton catch them. 53" up to the breakaway of Fem van Empel (TVL), Julie van de Velde (AGS) and Loes Adegeest (FST). 

The peloton beginning to split due to the pressure being put on by Emma Norsgaard (MOV). The gap up to the leaders has been closed to 46". 

60km to go

The breakaway have 1'08" on the peloton now as the pace slows again as Lidl-Trek, Uno-X Mobility and EF-Oatly-Cannondale lead the pack. 

Attack in peloton

Emma Norsgaard (MOV)

She tries to get away yet again but several riders are following including Anouska Koster (UXM) and Pfeiffer Georgi (DFP). 

Attack in peloton

Alice Towers (CSR)

The former British national champion launches solo out of the bunch. 

Dropped from peloton

Charlotte Kool (DFP)

The green jersey continues to struggle on this extremely undulating course. 

Crash

Erica Magnaldi (UAD)

She takes her teammate, Mikayla Harvey's (UAD), bike. But it is far too big for her. 

Bike change

Erica Magnaldi (UAD)

The UAE Team ADQ riders of Magnaldi and Harvey fly passed the DSM-Firmenich-PostNL duo of Kool and Storrie who are around a minute down on the peloton. 

50km to go

Around 5km up to the intermediate sprint in Mercy-le-Haut. 

Alice Towers (CSR) is now 1'20" down on the break, just 30" ahead of the peloton. 

Attack in the peloton

Maëva Squiban (ARK)
Mischa Bredewold (SDW)

Lots of other riders involved in this acceleration as Towers (CSR) is dragged back. 

Attack in break

Cedrine Kerbaol (WNT)
Ruth Edwards (HPH)

Dragged back quickly.

Maëva Squiban (ARK) goes over the top using the grass. 

500 metres to the intermediate sprint for the breakaway. 

Intermediate sprint (Mercy-le-Haut)

1. Julie van de Velde (BEL) AG Insurance-Soudal 25pts
2. Loes Adegeest (NED) FDJ-Suez 20pts
3. Fem van Empel (NED) Visma-Lease a Bike 17pts
4. Maëva Squiban (FRA) Arkea-B&B Hotels 15pts
5. Lorena Wiebes (NED) SD Worx-Protime 13pts
6. Marianne Vos (NED) Visma-Lease a Bike 11pts
7. Rachele Barbieri (ITA) DSM-Firmenich-PostNL 10pts
8. Mischa Bredewold (NED) SD Worx-Protime 9pts
9. Anna Henderson (GBR) Visma-Lease a BIke 8pts
10. Amber Pate (AUS) Liv-AlUla-Jayco 7pts
11. Femke De Vries (NED) Visma-Lease a Bike 6pts
12. Anouska Koster (NED) Uno-X Mobility 5pts
13. Chloe Dygert (USA) Canyon-SRAM 4pts
14. Ellen van Dijk (NED) Lidl-Trek 3pts
15. Magdeleine Vallieres (CAN) EF-Oatly-Cannondale 2pts

Bike change

Marianne Vos (TVL)

Maëva Squiban (ARK) still has a 15" lead on the peloton. But, she is now 2'32" down on the breakaway. SD Worx-Protime leading the peloton. 

Caught

Maëva Squiban (ARK)

The 22-year-old French rider is dragged back into the peloton. 2'47" up to the breakaway from the bunch. 

SD Worx-Protime continue the pacing in the peloton as the break has 2'22" on the peloton. Charlotte Kool (DFP) is now around 3'00" down on the bunch. DSM-Firmenich-PostNL will be working for Labous, Georgi and Barbieri for their opportunities today, instead. 

30km to go

Barbara Guarischi (SDW) is leading the peloton for Lorena Wiebes (SDW) as they look to drag this break back. Gap at 2'14". 

Bike change

Alison Jackson (EFO)

Onto the next climb of of the day, the penultimate one of the stage. The Côte de Briey which is 1.1km at 4.4%. 

QoM (Côte de Briey)

1. Fem van Empel (TVL) 2pts
2. Loes Adegeest (FST) 1pt

Movistar leading the peloton now for Emma Norsgaard who has, apparently, really targeted this stage. 

20km to go

The three riders of Fem van Empel (TVL), Loes Adegeest (FST) annd Julie van de Velde (AGS) have a gap of 1'39" on the peloton. 

Movistar are absolutely hammering the pace on the front of the bunch as they try to close the gap heading to the final climb of the day, the Côte de Montois-la-Montagne, 1.7km at 6% with a bonus sprint 2km after that QoM sprint. 

Onto the climb of Côte de Montois-la-Montagne. The peloton now only 51" behind the break as Movistar continue to hammer on the pace to try and drop Vos (TVL) and Wiebes (SDW). 

Norsgaard (MOV) now on the front herself as the gradient goes up to 7%. 

Attack in peloton

Franziska Koch (DFP)

The German champion launches to try and bridge to the leaders with Puck Pieterse (FED) now leading the peloton. 

Koch (DFP) dragged back by Pieterse (FED) with Vollering (SDW) and the other GC favourites watching what yesterday's stage winner is doing here. 

QoM (Côte de Montois-la-Montagne)

1. Fem van Emoel (TVL) 2pts
2. Julie van de Velde (AGS) 1pt

Lorena Wiebes (SDW) is still in the peloton, but, Gaia Realini (LTK) has been distanced! 

1km to the bonus sprint in Malancourt-la-Montagne. Pieterse (FED) finally relieved of pacing the peloton as Fisher-Black (SDW) takes over. 

Realini (LTK) dragged back to the peloton by Deignan (LTK). Also, in the wheels, Elisa Balsamo (LTK), so Lidl-Trek's sprinter is back in contention. Vas and Bredewold of SD Worx-Protime are back too.  

Bonus sprint (Malancourt-la-Montagne)

1. Julie van de Velde (AGS) 6"
2. Loes Adegeest (FST) 4"
3. Fem van Empel (TVL) 2"

Marianne Vos (TVL), Elisa Balsamo (LTK) and Lorena Wiebes (SDW) are in the peloton. Three of the big favourites for today. 

Attack in break

Julie van de Velde (AGS)

Adegeest (FST) and Van Empel (TVL) really struggling to close the gap. 

Bredewold joins her SD Worx-Protime teammate, Fisher-Black, on the front of the peloton as the gap sits at 26" between the break and what's left of the peloton. 

10km to go

Van de Velde (AGS) dragged back by Van Empel (TVL) and Adegeest (FST). 

Just 24" back to the peloton led by Olympic road race champion, Kristen Faulkner (EFO) working for Noemi Rüegg (EFO), potentially for Lotta Henttala (EFO) if she has made the split. 

Canyon-SRAM moving up with Chloe Dygert potentially being set up by them as well as looking after Kasia Niewiadoma. 

Big Crash!

Demi Vollering (SDW)
Puck Pieterse (FED)
Noemi Rüegg (EFO)
Pfeiffer Georgi (DFP)
Kim Le Court (AGS)
Ruby Roseman-Gannon (LAJ)
Mavi Garcia (LAJ)
Anna Henderson (TVL)

Lots of others down too. 

Demi Vollering (SDW) back riding but looks in a lot of pain. 

Attack

Loes Adegeest (FST)

Van Empel (TVL) and Van de Velde (AGS) caught by what is left of the peloton. Adegeest (FST) has 4km to go. 

Only around 8 rider left in what was the peloton. Vollering (SDW) was not inside the 3km banner so will be losing a lot of time here. 

3km to go

Loes Adegeest (FST) leads but Canyon-SRAM are pushing hard. Looks like Dygert is pushing for Niewiadoma. 

2km to go. Adegeest (FST) caught by the Dygert led group of 8 with Norsgaard (MOV), Faulkner (EFO), Lippert (MOV), Niewiadoma (CSR), Brand (LTK), Kerbaol (WNT) and, bizarrely, Vas (SDW) in the group. 

Bredewold (SDW) is back with Vollering (SDW) but Vas (SDW) is in the front group. 

Attack!

Kasia Niewiadome (CSR)

She is going all in for the stage and the yellow jersey but not able to drop anyone yet. 

Flamme Rouge

Emma Norsgaard (MOV) leads into the final 1000 metres. 

Attack

Kristen Faulkner (EFO)

Vas (SDW) closes it down with Niewiadoma (CSR) and Lippert (MOV) following. 

Blanka Vas (SDW) wins stage five of the Tour de France Femmes 2024! 

Kasia Niewiadoma (CSR) is the new yellow jersey!

Demi Vollering (SDW) loses 1'46" to Niewiadoma (CSR), so around 1'10" between them on the new general classification. 

Stage five top 10

1. Blanka Vas (HUN) SD Worx-Protime 3:46'51"
2. Kasia Niewiadoma (POL) Canyon-SRAM
3. Liane Lippert (GER) Movistar
4. Kristen Faulkner (USA) EF-Oatly-Cannondale all S.T.
5. Emma Norsgaard (DEN) Movistar +8"
6. Lucinda Brand (NED) Lidl-Trek +11"
7. Cedrine Kerbaol (FRA) Ceratizit-WNT S.T.
8. Lorena Wiebes (NED) SD Worx-Protime +28"
9. Marianne Vos (NED) Visma-Lease a BIke
10. Evita Muzic (FRA) FDJ-Suez all S.T.

General Classification after stage five

1. Kasia Niewiadoma (POL) Canyon-SRAM 11:27'29"
2. Kristen Faulkner (USA) EF-Oatly-Cannondale +19"
3. Puck Pieterse (NED) Fenix-Deceuninck +22"
4. Cedrine Kerbaol (FRA) Cereatizit-WNT +47"
5. Juliette Labous (FRA) DSM-Firmenich-PostNL +56"
6. Thalita De Jong (NED) Lotto-DSTNY +1'04"
7. Shirin van Anrooij (NED) Lidl-Trek +1'07"
8. Pauliena Rooijakkers (NED) Fenix-Deceuninck +1'08"
9. Demi Vollering (NED) SD Worx-Protime +1'19"
10. Liane Lippert (GER) Movistar +1'20"

The post race report is up online right now! Head over there to have a read and keep it open in a tab for all the latest reaction...

>>> Tour de France Femmes: Blanka Vas wins stage 5 as Vollering loses yellow jersey after crash 

It is a bittersweet day for SD Worx-Protime. They take the stage with Blanka Vas, biggest win of her career not so long after narrowly missing out on an Olympic medal. But, Demi Vollering loses yellow. 

Kasia Niewiadoma (CSR) was perfectly placed in the finale and her team were already pushing hard when the crash happened. She takes yellow by a small 19" margin over Olympic champion, Kristen Faulkner (EFO). 

Puck Pieterse (FED) keeps hold of white by 45" over Shirin van Anrooij (LTK) despite coming down in the crash. 

Despite being distanced in today's stage, Charlotte Kool (DFP) doesn't lose much of her lead in the green jersey standings thanks to the break taking the first four spots in the intermediate sprint and then the unfortunate events of the crash meaning she keeps the jersey by 35 points over Marianne Vos (TVL). 

While she dropped down one place in the GC to third at 22", Puck Pieterse (FED), holds onto her lead in the polka dot jersey by one point over Silvia Persico (UAD) as well as keeping white. Hopefully, her injuries in the crash aren't too bad. 

Loes Adegeest (FST) deservedly wins the most combative rider award and will wear the green numbers on stage six.