Tour de France 2017: Fabio Aru solos to victory, Chris Froome takes yellow

The 5th stage of the Tour de France is played out on rolling to hilly roads in the Vosges. The finale takes in the steep La Planche des Belles Filles, a 5,9 climbs with ramps up 20%. Fabio Aru attacks with 2.4 kilometres remaining and solos to victory. Dan Martin finishes in second, Chris Froome in third. The title defender takes the yellow jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 5th stage 2017 Tour de France

1. Fabio Aru (ita)
2. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.16
3. Chris Froome (gbr) + 0.20
4. Richie Porte (aus) + 0.20
5. Romain Bardet (fra) + 0.24
6. Simon Yates (gbr) + 0.26
7. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
8. Alberto Contador (spa) s.t.
9. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.34
10. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.40

11. Louis Meintjes (rsa) s.t.
12. Rafal Majka (pol) s.t.
16. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 1.07

GC after the 5th stage
1. Chris Froome (gbr)
2. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.12
3. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.14
4. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.25
5. Richie Porte (aus) + 0.39
6. Simon Yates (gbr) + 0.43
7. Romain Bardet (fra) + 0.47
8. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.52
9. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.54
10. Rafal Majka (pol) + 1.01

11. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
12. Pierre Latour (fra) + 1.07
13. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 1.24
14. Emanuel Buchmann (ger) + 1.29
15. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 1.33

Race report
Once the flag is dropped Voeckler, Bakelants, Van Baarle, Gilbert, De Gendt, Delage, Perichon and Boasson Hagen escape. They race to a maximum lead of almost 4 minutes before the gap stabilises.

Bakelants is first to crest Côte d’Esmoulières. He pushes on alone before he is re-joined by his former companions, except Delage and De Gendt.

With 13 kms remaining Gilbert attacks and Bakelants jumps to his wheel. They hit La Planche des Belles Filles 1 minute ahead of the main group.

The Sky-train gobbles up the two leaders with 4 kms remaining before Fabio Aru attacks 2.4 kms from the line. The Sardinian forces a proper gap and he keeps a steady pace. With a little less than 2 kilometres left Froome goes after Aru with Porte, Bardet and Martin on his wheel. Quintana and Contador can’t follow the pace, and they are not the only ones. Maillot jaune Geraint Thomas struggles and falls back.

The chase doesn’t bear fruit as Aru is simply too strong. The Italian champion storms to the line with bravado to celebrate a great victory. Dan Martin accelerates away on a brutal 20% ramp just before the summit to get rid off Froome, Porte and Bardet. The title defender comes in third and takes a time bonus of 4 seconds.

Geraint Thomas limits his losses – 20 seconds to Froome – and now sits in second overall, while Aru is breathing down his neck in third place.