Van Aert removed the victory from those who escaped in the final meters

Belgian champion Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma) continued his particular recital at Dauphiné and achieved the double in the sprint, in the fifth stage contested between Thizy-les-Bourgs and Chaintré, of 162.3 km, where he powered by 10 seconds his yellow jersey as a bonus.

Van Aert (Herentals, 27 years old) is unstoppable. As the mountain approaches, it dominates everywhere. He won the first stage, even lost due to overconfidence, in the time trial he just gave up on double World Champion Filippo Ganna and in the fifth he again showed his speed.

Fifth win of the season for Van Aert after beating Belgian Jordi Meeus (Bora Hansgrohe) and Briton Ethan Hayter (Ineos) at the finish line in the town of Chaintré, who stumbled on a hill like Burgundy wine, giving peloton time. at 3:38:35, at an average speed of 44.5 km/h.

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Within the main group, Enric Mas (Movistar) crossed the finish line, suffering a severe fall in Cota de Dun where he injured his right shoulder. Balearic arrived injured, but intact, ready to proceed if no complications arose.

A victory that establishes Van Aert’s superiority, holding on to the yellow jersey with such force that he doesn’t rule out the final victory. So far he has beaten Italian Matteo Cattaneo (Quick Step) by 1.03 minutes and his Jumbo teammate Primoz Roglic by 1.06. The first Spaniard to follow was Juan Ayuso (UAE Emirates), eighth at 1.58.

A day of constant ups and downs, almost breaking legs, even without severe orographic difficulties began in a small Rhône municipality with 6,000 inhabitants. The breakaway was formed at km 40 and lasted until the smooth line. Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis), Doubey (TotalEnergies), Bakelants (Intermarché) and Schönberger (B&B) left.

The quintet passed the Col des Ecorbans (3rd), where Rolland went down after scoring points at the port, then the Cota de Dun (2nd), where Enric Mas landed, treated by race doctors.

Groenewegen BikeExchange and Jumbo chased the block with 44 km left and the lead for breakaways was 2 minutes. The differences dropped to 1 minute at Col du Bois Clair (4th) and 30 seconds at the last barrier, Cote de Vergisson (4th), with a summit 12 minutes from the end.

On the descent, the Ineos are launched and all teams are involved to overthrow the advanced team, which is close by, but there is still asphalt in between. The platoon lined up in a file, firing, along with everyone entering the relays.

There was excitement, uncertainty. The brave ones who challenged the peloton sold defeat, so they endured their illusions in full until there were 300 meters left in the last line. A duel in which “Goliath” Van Aert, the strongest and most powerful, finally wins. In unbeatable mode.

This Friday the sixth stage will be held between Rives and Gap, 196.4 km long, a day in the middle of the mountain with 4 marking steps, the most important being the Col de Rousset (2a, 6.6 km on 5.1 slope) before half of the route, and the Col de Cabre (2a, 9.1 km to 4.7). At 5 km to go, the Romette slope can provide the game. The day is not suitable for forgetfulness.

Classification stage 5

1. Wout van Aert (BEL/Jumbo), 162.3 km at 3:38:35.
2. Jordi Meeus (BEL/BOR) mt
3. Ethan Hayter (GBR/INE) mt
4. Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR/TEN) mt
5. Hugo Page (FRA/INT) mt
6. Jasper Stuyven (BEL/TRE) mt
7. Andrea Bagioli (ITA/QST) mt
8. Jan Bakelants (BEL/INT) mt
9. Matis Louvel (FRA/ARK) mt
10. Juan Sebastian Molano (COL/UAE) mt
…
14. Christophe Laporte (FRA/JUM) mt
15. Benjamin Thomas (FRA/COF) mt
18. Brandon McNulty (USA/UAE) mt
23. Tao Geoghegan Hart (GBR/INE) mt
24. Tobias Johannessen (NOR/UNO) mt
26. Eddie Dunbar (IRL/INE) mt
32. Damiano Caruso (ITA/BAH) mt
37. Ben O’Connor (AUS/AG2) mt
39. Primoz Roglic (SLO/JUM) mt