The 158-kilometre stage from Lannemezan to Pau had long been expected to end in a bunch sprint, but the rolling terrain in the closing kilometres encouraged several riders to test the sprinters’ teams. 

Fred Wright, wearing his Q36.5 Dottore Clima British National Champion Skin Suit — featuring an SPF 30-rated back panel and sleeves, and designed with an exceptionally lightweight construction for hot conditions — seized the opportunity, attacking alongside Kasper Asgreen in an attempt to force a late selection before the move was eventually reeled in by the peloton. The stage ultimately finished with a mass sprint, won by Olav Kooij. 

“It was a nice, relaxed day today, but with some little kicks in the final it was getting a little bit difficult and hot. I saw the guys going for the KOM points and I thought there was maybe an opportunity to sneak away with a couple of strong guys. Unfortunately it was just me and Kasper Asgreen that were excited for it. I quite like to try and sniff out things like this because, in the end, that's probably the most likely way I can try and win on a sprint stage. The feelings were better than the last few days, so that's encouraging. Big mountain day tomorrow.”

Attention now turns to Stage 6, the first major mountain test of this year's Tour. The 186-kilometre route from Pau to Gavarnie-Gèdre features a succession of Pyrenean climbs, Col d’Aspin, the legendary Col tu Tourmalet before a summit finish, offering the general classification contenders their first real opportunity to make significant differences in the high mountains.