Voeckler: Try... For One Day You May Succeed

The Progress Report
The official start of the stage was at 12.46pm. There were 178 riders at the sign on with Piet Rooijakkers (SKS) the rider forced to abandon after crashing in stage four. The 196.5km fifth stage, from Cap d’Adge to Perpignan, included two category-four climbs – the col de Feuilla (at 112.5km) and the cote de Treilles (at 116.5km). There were also three intermediate sprints: they were in Capestang (40.5km), Saint-Jean-de-Barrou (107.5km) and Canet-en-Roussillon (158.5km).

The Escape Forms…
There was an attack from a Lampre rider immediate after the start. He was caught quickly but then Beppy (SKS) launched another attack around the 6km mark. He was joined by Voeckler (BBO), Geslin (FDJ) and Sapa (LAM) but the Japanese rider retreated to the peloton at 10km. At 12km, Ignatiev (KAT) attacked and was followed by Timmer (SKS) and Hutarovich (FDJ). The peloton seemed content with this selection and, at 17km, eased the pace. At the 23km mark, the chasers caught the leaders. The lead increased quickly: 6’30” at 30km; 8’40” at 33km; 9’35” at 40km… this was the maximum gain. The two FDJ riders led over the line for the first intermediate sprint, Geslin was first and Hutarovich second. The average speed for the first hour was 41.6km/h.
Columbia-HTC sent riders to the front and by the 50km mark, the advantage of the escapees was down to six minutes. “We’ve made a decision,” said the directeur sportif Allan Peiper as the bunch reached the 64km mark, “we’re going for it today.” By then the deficit of the peloton had been reduced to 4’40”. The average speed for the second hour was 38.4km/h.

Gesink Amongst Crash Victims
The advantage ebbed around the four minute mark with an array of teams – some from Saxo Bank, Astana, Caisse d’Epargne (amongst others) – leading the peloton. The average for the third hour was 42.8km/h. On the approach to the coast (133km) there was a lot of jostling for position. Scheirlinckx (SIL) and Auge (COF) crashed at 106km; Lloyd (SIL) crashed at 107km; and Gesink (RAB) fell into the gutter on the left of the road around the 120km mark. At the coast, Gesink was 1’25” behind the peloton which split into four groups thanks largely to the efforts of Cancellara, A. Schleck and the Saxo Bank team. The wind was blowing from the west which caused an extremely rapid approach to the coast and also made it hard work as they bunch sped south towards Perpignan. The junction of the first two pelotons happened with 50km to go, when the six led by 1’15” and Gesink trailed by 1’10”. The Dutchman did catch up with the second peloton but nursed his left hand ever since his crash.

Two Pelotons Together At 22km
The second peloton – which included Boonen (QSI), Moncoutie (COF), Moreau (AGR) amongst others – caught the yellow jersey’s group at the 22km mark. Gesink dropped behind at this point. With 20km to go, the six leaders were 1’10” ahead of the peloton and 1’45” ahead of Gesink.

Voeckler Finally Gets His Win!
Garmin, Agritubel and Columbia riders led the peloton from 15km to go but the six escapees held onto their advantage: 1’15” 10km from the finish. The first attack from the lead group came from Ignatiev with 6.5km to go. He was chased down and then, at the 5km mark Voeckler launched what ultimately became the winning move. He had a lead of 10” with 1,000 to go and arrived at the line with tears in his eyes. His victory is the second in the Tour de France for BBox Bouygues Telecom team and it came on the day of Jean-Rene Bernaudeau’s 53rd birthday. Ignatiev also held off the peloton finishing just ahead of Cavendish (THR) who led the bunch home.
Cancellara finished 24th in the stage in the same time as Cavendish and will wear the yellow for at least one more day.