Stage 5 Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - Saint-Vulbas (177.4km)
Sprinters Sharpen Their Knives
The aftereffects of the mythical Col du Galibier are still felt in the legs, but the sprinters must hope they have survived this legendary climb well. The fast men in the peloton are back in action in the fifth stage of the Tour de France. From Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, a 177-kilometer ride takes the riders towards Saint-Vulbas near Lyon. With only two ‘small’ obstacles along the way, nothing seems to stand in the way of a second bunch sprint.
Although the sprinters will be sharpening their knives for this stage, they know a thing or two about knives in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne as well. The French village in the Alps, located in the Savoie department, is home to the Opinel company, known for its folding knives. The company has been active since 1890, and its design is known worldwide. The Tour is also no stranger to the village, as it has hosted stage starts or finishes six times before, often featuring Alpine climbs.
On July 3rd, however, this is not the case. The riders will depart from the Alps in a northwesterly direction, finishing in Saint-Vulbas. This town is no stranger to top-level sports, being home to the Federation Internationale de Boules, and frequently hosting the Tour de l’Ain. The latter race often ends in a sprint, with notable winners such as Jimmy Casper, Nacer Bouhanni, and Hugo Hofstetter. Now, Saint-Vulbas makes its debut in the Tour.
The route of the fifth stage shows that the peloton is leaving the high mountains behind. The first fifty kilometers are slightly downhill. Shortly after, the riders face the first of two obstacles. The Côte de Couz (12.9 km at 2.7%) poses little threat to the sprinters.
After passing through Le Pont-de-Beauvoisin and Aoste, the riders cross the Rhône River. This takes them from the Savoie department through Isère and into Ain. About forty kilometers from the finish, the Côte de Lhuis (4.4 km at 4.2%) awaits. Should the sprinters encounter any difficulties here, they have plenty of time to regroup. Sprinters to the front in Saint-Vulbas!
| Date | Wednesday 03 July |
| Start |  Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne |
| Finish | Saint-Vulbas |
| Distance | 177.4 km |
| Start time | 13:20 |
| Expected finish | 17:16 |
Stage 5 Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - Saint-Vulbas (177.4km)
Sprinters Sharpen Their Knives
The aftereffects of the mythical Col du Galibier are still felt in the legs, but the sprinters must hope they have survived this legendary climb well. The fast men in the peloton are back in action in the fifth stage of the Tour de France. From Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, a 177-kilometer ride takes the riders towards Saint-Vulbas near Lyon. With only two ‘small’ obstacles along the way, nothing seems to stand in the way of a second bunch sprint.
Although the sprinters will be sharpening their knives for this stage, they know a thing or two about knives in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne as well. The French village in the Alps, located in the Savoie department, is home to the Opinel company, known for its folding knives. The company has been active since 1890, and its design is known worldwide. The Tour is also no stranger to the village, as it has hosted stage starts or finishes six times before, often featuring Alpine climbs.
On July 3rd, however, this is not the case. The riders will depart from the Alps in a northwesterly direction, finishing in Saint-Vulbas. This town is no stranger to top-level sports, being home to the Federation Internationale de Boules, and frequently hosting the Tour de l’Ain. The latter race often ends in a sprint, with notable winners such as Jimmy Casper, Nacer Bouhanni, and Hugo Hofstetter. Now, Saint-Vulbas makes its debut in the Tour.
The route of the fifth stage shows that the peloton is leaving the high mountains behind. The first fifty kilometers are slightly downhill. Shortly after, the riders face the first of two obstacles. The Côte de Couz (12.9 km at 2.7%) poses little threat to the sprinters.
After passing through Le Pont-de-Beauvoisin and Aoste, the riders cross the Rhône River. This takes them from the Savoie department through Isère and into Ain. About forty kilometers from the finish, the Côte de Lhuis (4.4 km at 4.2%) awaits. Should the sprinters encounter any difficulties here, they have plenty of time to regroup. Sprinters to the front in Saint-Vulbas!