Top 20 of the Stage into Amiens
André Griepel again demonstrated his strength yesterday making a late run for the line taking the stage in Amiens from Peter Sagan and Mark Cavendish. This year Sagan has been very fast in the sprints, while to date it hasn't worked out for Mark Cavendish. Yesterday he lost Mark Renshaw, his lead-out man, so didn't get a perfect launch for the line and went quite early giving Griepel and Sagan to surge past him close to the line.
The list of all time TDF stage winners has been updated here to include André Griepel's victory in Amiens.
The list of all time TDF stage winners has been updated here to include André Griepel's victory in Amiens.
Overall Top 20: no change with Tony Martin leading
Further crashes in the wet weather saw French sprinter Nacer Bouhanni abandon. He had already crashed in the French Road Championships just before the start of the Tour
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Stage 5: Abbeville - Le Havre (191.5) – I do like to be beside the seaside
Today's stage from Abbeville to Le Havre will be lumpy and potentially windy as much of the stage runs close to the sea. Although there are no big climbs – just three 4th Category climbs, the route will be constantly up and down as the profile shows.
The finish in Le Havre with the sharp climb of the Côte d'Ingouville just before the line should suit punchers rather the pure sprinters. The short 850 metre climb averages 7% but there are parts at 14%. This could well be the day for Peter Sagan with John Degenkolb as another favourite.
It will also be a day that the overall contenders will want to be close to the front, so that they don't lose any time to their rivals on the climb.
Thankfully the forecast is for a dry sunny day but much cooler than it was for the Tour's start last Saturday and for a NNW wind gusting up to 30km. This could well blow the peloton apart, so not a relaxed day by the sea in prospect for the riders.
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