The runners of Tour of Britain had an appointment this Saturday with the queen stage of this 21st edition! After the victory of Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) The day before, the main contenders for victory in the general classification were going to be explained in the rise of The Thumble (5.5 km at 7.3%), the summit of which constituted the arrival of this 5th stage. Finally, despite several attacks by favorites, including Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates XRG) et d’Oscar Onley (Team Picnic Postnl), it is a sprint in a small committee that was argued at the top and smiled at Remco Evenepoel (Sudal Quick-Step). The Olympic champion raises his arms upon his recovery race and won ahead Thomas Gloag (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) et Oscar Onley. Even if he did not have to be comfortable in the last ascent, Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) has managed its effort well and finished in a good 5th place, at the same time as the Belgian. The French keeps his green leading jersey but will still have to fight to win this Tour of Britainwhich could be played at the end of the 6th stage this Sunday.
Romain Grégoire under the threat of Remco Evenepoel
Winner of a stage for Putnanteurs the day before, it was a challenge for Romain Grégoire to keep your leader jersey on a longer ascent and intended for climbers. It was after taking over the two attackers of the day, Hartthijs de Vries (Unibet Tietema Rockets) a Siebe Deweirdt (Team Flanders – Baloise), that really started the hill race that was expected on this 5th stage. If several attempts inadvertent of offensive have taken place in the last kilometers of race, it is Pavel Sivakov, Oscar Onley et EULALIO AFONSO (Bahrain-Victorious) that we owe the most concrete movement of this final, under the banner announcing the last two kilometers.
However, the fault of the work ofIlan van Wilder In pursuit and bad collaboration at the front, the three fugitives could not hope to compete for the victory, finally returned to Remco Evenepoelthe fastest in the sprint in the final bump. Pointed to 12 “of the French leader in the morning of this stage, the double Olympic champion takes advantage of the seconds of bonus to return to 2” only from the head, the day before the arrival.
