SAGAN TAKES STAGE

5 OF TOUR DE FRANCE

Peter Sagan had the yellow jersey holder to thank for his victory on Stage 5 of the Tour de France on Wednesday. Greg Van Avermaet mistimed his sprint and Sagan, the threetime reigning world champion with the Bora-Hansgrohe team, took advantage to claim his second victory in this year’s event. “I don’t know if he did it on purpose or if he wanted to drop everybody but I have to say thanks,” Sagan said. Van Avermaet still increased his overall lead over BMC teammate Tejay van Garderen to two seconds by gaining precious time in an intermediate bonus sprint. After a move from Philippe Gilbert, Van Avermaet accelerated out of the final turn with 300 metres to go but couldn’t maintain. In a repeat of Stage 2, Sagan held off Sonny Colbrelli in the sprint, with Gilbert finishing third.