With some tough climbing, the top of the GC tightly packed and Julian Alaphilippe potentially out for revenge we expected a few fireworks on today’s stage 6 of the Tour de France. Instead we got a much more sedate affair. Alexey Lutsenko of Astana took the win from the breakaway. Behind, the peloton continued the 2020 Tour de France vibe of “not today, darling”, leaving Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) in yellow.
Final KMs
Another sleepy day for the peloton so full marks to Alexey Lutsenko for taking his chances, powering on when others faltered and taking the win.
The Kazakh King
Let’s start with the winner…
Little known fact: Lutsenko won from the break because he’s good at managing splits.
We had a breakaway!!
Perhaps stung by criticism of yesterday’s lack of breakaway, a pretty powerful group was allowed to go up the road. Check out the names in the frame.
So far this Tour, the breakaway has been kept on a tighter leash than a critic of the Kremlin. Today, the escapees had an advantage of over six minutes at one point. That was enough to put Greg Van Avermaet (CCC) into the virtual yellow jersey. I almost forgave him the gold bike and accessories ensemble. Almost.
Behind the break
That was about as exciting as it got. Behind the break, INEOS Gendarmes, or whatever they call themselves this week [Grenadiers! Next week, they’re the Gardeners – Ed], sat at the front of the peloton so that they could… erm … I have no idea. Which led to some pretty existential thinking.
The main GC action came in the final 200 metres as Julian Alaphilippe kicked up a sprint to get back some time on the yellow jersey. He got one measly second. Don’t expect to see this move given a six-page retrospective in Rouleur magazine anytime soon. [That said, if the Tour keeps this pace, maybe it’ll be one of the highlights of the three weeks! – Ed]
Sleepy time
For those watching, the feeling was that we weren’t seeing the self-styled Greatest Show on Earth.
If the riders don’t think that, the fans sure will!
Point made, although Primoz might disagree. Meanwhile, is it that wise to hark back to the “good old days”?
The last word
Don’t worry Tour fans, the rumour is that tomorrow’s stage could feature some action-inducing crosswinds and we all know that 2020 is a year that likes to deliver on its promises! Oh … what’s that?
Results
Stage 5 Top 5
1 Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) 4:32:34
2 Jesus Herrada (The Mighty Cofidis) +0:55
3 Greg Van Avermaet (CCC-Goldbikes) +2:15
4 Neilson Powless (EF NoLongerAllTheWords Just EF) +2:17
5 Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck QuickFeed) +2:52
GC Top 10
1 Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) 27:03:57
2 Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) +0:03
3 Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates) +0:07
4 Guillaume Martin (Team Cofidis) +0:09
5 Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers) +0:13
6 Tom Dumoulin (Jumbo-Visma) s/t
7 Esteban Chaves (Mitchelton-Scott) s/t
8 Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) s/t
9 Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) s/t
10 Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) s/t
All the jerseys
Leader’s jersey Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott)
Points jersey Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quickstep)
King of the Mountains Benoit Cosnefroy (AG2R la Mondiale)
Best Young Rider Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates)
Most Combativity of the Stage: Nicholas Roche (Team Sunweb)
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Official race website: Le Tour
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