The series of serious falls in the women’s Tour de France has continued on the fifth stage.
45 kilometers before the finish in Saint-Die-des-Vosges there was a mass crash in the field. The multiple Danish champion Emma Cecillie Bjerg (Movistar) had to give up. Other riders suffered minor injuries, Dutch rider Chantal van den Broek-Blaak (SD Worx) was treated, lost time but returned to the peloton.
Longest stage, Vos defends yellow
Lorena Wiebes secured victory on the longest stage of the tour after 175.6 kilometers in a mass sprint. For the Dutchwoman from Team DSM, who wears the green jersey, it was already the second stage win. Second was world champion Elisa Balsamo from Italy (Trek-Segafredo) ahead of Wiebe’s compatriot Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma), who successfully defended her yellow jersey.
runaways
Breakaways Victoire Berteau (Cofidis) of France and Antri Christoforou of Cyprus (Human Powered Health) had been swallowed up by the field three kilometers from the finish. For Wiebes it was already the 17th win of the season. Best German was Vos’ teammate Romy Kasper as 48th.
Four smaller climbs on Friday
On Friday (07/29/2022) in France from Saint-Dié-des-Vosges over 129.2 kilometers to Rosheim, four smaller climbs have to be overcome. The goal on the Planche des Belles Filles Sunday is getting closer, the decision about the overall victory should be made on the weekend’s two mountain stages in the Vosges.