The flag is dropped in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges in the glacial and green valley of the river La Meurthe. The route moves through Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park. Contrary to the first four stages the route goes either up or down. A perfect warm-up for stage 6 – to La Planche des Belles Filles.
En route the riders tackle four classified climbs. Côte de Grendelbruch (3.4 kilometres at 4.9%) is crested in the first half of the race, while Côte du Haut-Koenigsbourg (5.9 kilometres at 5.9%) and Côte des Trois Épis (5 kilometres at 6.7%) are crested with 66 kilometres and 35 kilometres remaining.
Following the Trois Épis a last climb lays waiting to stir things up. The Côte des Cinq Châteux – 4.6 kilometres at 6.1% – peaks with almost 15 kilometres out. The route plunges down to the valley for a flat run-in of 11 kilometres to the line.
The 2009 Tour de France visited Colmar in the rain-swept 13th stage. Heinrich Haussler soloed to victory, more than 4 minutes ahead of Amets Txurruka and Brice Feillu.
Time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds are awarded to the first three riders on the line.
Another interesting read: results/race report 5th stage 2019 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2019 stage 5: route, profiles, more
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