Stage 5 of the Tour de France Femmes – the longest of this year’s edition at 165.8 km – took the peloton from Chasseneuil-du-Poitou (Futuroscope) to Guéret. It was a demanding and action-packed day, once again marked by the strong initiative of UAE Team ADQ.
After a series of attacks and crashes early on, the key breakaway of the day was eventually formed. Four riders initially made the move, before Brodie Chapman joined the front group with about 80 km to go. Alongside her were Barale, Dijkstra, Soto, and Jackson. The group gained nearly four minutes on the peloton, and Brodie also claimed the Queen of the Mountain points at the Côte de Chabannes.
As the bunch started to reel in the escapees, Chapman launched a solo attack with 25 km to go. Her brave move was later joined by Smulders and teammate Maeva Squiban with 17 km remaining, as the race dynamic shifted again. Van Anrooij and Mermet also bridged across, injecting new energy into the breakaway.
Behind them, a reduced bunch of around 40 riders – including all the GC contenders and UAE Team ADQ’s Dominika Wlodarczyk – began the chase. The strong pace set by Canyon//SRAM on the lower slopes of the final climb closed the gap. The favorites then attacked, and while Wlodarczyk couldn’t follow the seven riders who went on to fight for the win, she stayed in the yellow jersey group and finished a strong 11th.
The stage was won by Kimberley Le Court – Pienaar (AG Insurance – Soudal Team), who also took over the yellow jersey.
Tomorrow, Stage 6 will run from Clermont-Ferrand to Ambert over 123.7 km.
(ph. Getty Sport)
