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Bring on the cobbles! Stage 5 is technically flat however with multiple cobble sections, most in the back half of the course, it's best to expect the unexpected. In 2014 a similar course undid Chris Froome's tour bid as he crashed out of the race. The final cobble sector comes just 5 km from the finish in Arenberg, so we do expect a small group or a big solo effort to try to take the day and the stage win.

Weather Forecast

Current forecasts are for light wind and little chance of rain, so riders will feel a bit more confident going over the 11 sectors of cobbles. While this is welcome news to the teams, even dry cobbles are formidable.

Stage Analysis

An amazing day for the yellow jersey in stage 4. Breaking away on the last climb and taking advantage of cross-tail winds and narrow roads into the finish, Wout van Aert splintered the field and got a stage victory after three consecutive 2nd place finishes. The celebration of stage 4 can not last too long as the cobbles of stage 5 can take a heavy toll on any rider. For the GC contenders, the route will be about controlling the race and staying out of trouble. Luckily the weather appears to be cooperating because wet muddy cobbles would sure to throw a wrench into the race. We expect the classic riders to push for a small group or a solo breakaway over the last 5 sectors which feature three 4-Star followed by the final two 3-Star sectors. Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) is the favorite for the stage, but BBS-sponsored riders Alexander Kristoff (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux), Mads Pedersen and Jasper Stuyven (Trek Segafredo) should give a good effort at the front.