Meintjes among the best climbers in the first summit arrival

UAE Team Emirates’s Louis Meintjes put in a strong display amongst the climbers in stage five of the Tour de France (Vittel-La Planche des Belles Filles, 160,5 km), crossing the finish line in 11th place (photo Bettini), only denied a top 10 finish by yellow jersey wearer Geraint Thomas, who finished 10th passing the leadership of the race to his team mate Froome.
The result boosts Meintjes 100 places in the General Classification to the 13rd place.

Riders were tasked with a brutal up-hill climb to end stage five – the first summit finish of the Tour. Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Team) rode to a clear victory, having made a break from the front pack with less than 3 km to go.

Speaking after the stage, Meintjes said: “It was really fast right from the start, they let a strong breakaway go but they kept the gap small so all day was fast and nervous. The last 2 km was really fast and the guys that had legs left on the finish. It was almost like a sprint finish with a really steep final. I was just a little bit empty when I arrived there“.

Riders will head in to stage six having an understanding of how the Tour is starting to play out. The 216 km flat between Vesoul and Troyes will give sprinters ample opportunities to pull back crucial seconds after the previous stage’s summit finish. However, the terrain may cause some riders issues and a series of sharp corners, curves and roundabouts leading to the finish-line could make for a thrilling end to the stage.

Stage results
1 Aru Fabio (Astana) 3h44’06”
2 Martin Daniel (Quick-Step Floors) 16″
3 Froome Chris (Team Sky) 20″
11 Meintjes Louis (UAE Team Emirates) 40″

General classification after stage 5
1 Froome Chris (Team Sky) 18h38’59”
2 Thomas Gerraint (Team Sky) 12″
3 Aru Fabio (Astana) 14″
13 Meintjes Louis (UAE Team Emirates) 1’24”