Stage 5 of the Tour de France Femmes delivered another thrilling day of racing, with scorching temperatures and relentless attacks making the battle for the general classification even more exciting. UAE Team L’IMAD raced aggressively from the start, placing both Maeva Squiban and Dominika Włodarczyk in the day’s main breakaway.
The 140km stage from Mâcon to Belleville-en-Beaujolais was decided after an intense battle, with Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ) taking victory ahead of yellow jersey Marlen Reusser (Movistar Team) and Kasia Niewiadoma (CANYON//SRAM) in the sprint.
Dominika Włodarczyk produced an outstanding performance, finishing fourth after winning the sprint from the first chasing group to cap an excellent day. Elisa Longo Borghini matched the moves of the main contenders for as long as possible but lost contact on the final section of the last climb.
Paula Blasi joined the Italian champion together with Maeva Squiban, who had earlier animated the race with a courageous solo attack from the breakaway. However, both riders were eventually distanced, and Blasi surrendered the white jersey as leader of the Young Rider Classification.
Despite the changes in the standings, UAE Team L’IMAD remains firmly in contention for the general classification. Dominika Włodarczyk now sits fifth overall at 2:54, Elisa Longo Borghini is sixth at 2:58, while Paula Blasi rounds out the top ten at 3:51.
The race continues tomorrow with Stage 6, a demanding 153.4km route from Montbrison to Tournon-sur-Rhône, featuring another challenging parcours with plenty of climbing.
(ph. Getty Sport)
