This exciting stage leading up over 4000 metres in the heat to Santa Maria was won by Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL). The young Brit beat yesterday’s winner Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates XRG) in a photo finish. At the top of the standings there is a change for the first time: Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) claims the yellow jersey.
Stage 5 was just as tough as it looked on paper. From La Punt it was 184 kilometres over the Julier Pass then the San Bernardino Pass to Santa Maria. The finish was at the top of a short but steep climb. Almeida showed his form once again on this final climb, not only catching Oscar Onley but almost snatching the stage win from him. However, the Brit pulled away early in the sprint relegating Almeida to second place.
This year’s Queen Stage was dedicated to Gino Mäder, who died tragically two years ago. A memorial was dedicated before the race at the site of his accident on the Albula Pass. Alongside Gino Mäder’s mother, many riders, friends and Tour de Suisse officials attended the ceremony. The “#rideforgino” KOM was awarded in Gino’s memory during today’s stage. Aleksandr Vlasov won this prize and now leads the mountain classification by twelve points.
Vauquelin takes the yellow jersey from Gregoire
For around 170 kilometres, a three-man breakaway held off the peloton. Eight kilometres before the finish, however, the escape came to an end and the chasing group with the favourites caught the trio. Shortly afterwards, Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) glimpsed an opportunity and tried his luck in an attack. However, Oscar Onley quickly spoiled this attempt.
The spectacular stage sees a shake-up in the General Classification. The big winner is Kévin Vauquelin. The Frenchman crossed the finish line in fourth place, just 39 seconds behind Almeida. With Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ) losing almost seven minutes he had to hand over the yellow jersey to his compatriot.
Although it wasn’t enough to win the stage, Julian Alaphilippe has improved his position. He is now in second place just 29 seconds behind, and ahead of João Almeida. Another favourite Ben O’Connor (Team Jayco AlUla) dropped back somewhat. He lost over two and a half minutes on the winner today and is 2:16 minutes behind in the General Classification.
