Revenge time for sprinters

June 6 ^th 2024 - 04:53

Sprinters had the final say in stage 1 around St Pourçain sur Sioule and were eagerly awaiting today’s fifth stage between Amplepuis and St Priest to express themselves one last time in this Dauphiné.

The race opener went to Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) ahead of Sam Bennett (Decathlon-AG2R) and they will again be the men to beat in the 167-km ride to the outskirts of Lyon. Both looked in excellent form in the hilly days since their first showdown and while the Danish 2020 world champion will be looking for his 9th win of the season, the Irish 2020 Tour de France green jersey will be out for revenge after narrowly missing his first World Tour victory in his new French outfit.

Four climbs are on the day’s course but they look easy enough for sprinters with climbing skills like theirs, while current polka-dot jersey holder Mathis Le Berre of France will be looking for some of the nine points on offer to retain his KOM lead ahead of the gruelling final three days in the mountains.

Should Pedersen and Bennett fail to deliver, France’s Hugo Page (Intermarché-Wanty) and Clement Venturini (Arkea-B&B Hotels) could give the host country a first win in this edition, unless a breakaway manages to go all the way.

In any case, race leader Remco Evenepoel should spend a nice firstday in yellow given his comfortable lead overall on Primoz Roglic (33 seconds) and Matteo Jorgenson (1:04).