Sagan strike levels score as Tour gets tougher

CYCLING PETER Sagan has hit back in his Tour de France green jersey battle with Fernando Gaviria, saluting at the end of a furious finale to Stage 5.

On a gruelling, twisting, uphill stretch to the finish, Sagan timed his run perfectly, waiting for Philippe Gilbert and then Greg Van Avermaet to try and fail before launching his decisCROATIA’S ive strike. The win puts Sagan and Gaviria level on two stage wins each from four road stages, with the former retaining the green jersey.

“My teammates did a very good job,” Sagan said.

“They brought me into a good position for the final climb.

“Gilbert came over and tried to attack, but we caught him. I think Van Avermaet started too early and in the end pulled a very good sprint for me and (runner-up Sonny) Colbrelli.”

Five classified climbs in the final 100km of the 204.5km stage saw sprinters Mark Cavendish and Marcel Kittel dropped before a breathless run-in ensued as Chris Froome and Team Sky took control at the base of the last ascent.

Ultimately, there were no changes in the general classification, but after a pancake-flat first four days, the shots have now been fired.

“I think it was the hardest stage by far in this Tour, so it feels nice to do some proper racing,” Richie Porte said.

“That was a technical runin to that. It was hell for leather, but it’s nice to get it done and not lose time.”

Despite falling short on the stage, Porte’s teammate Van Avermaet retained the yellow jersey.

“Greg’s allowed to defend the jersey, as he should be, and the rest of the guys were around me,” Porte said of BMC’s dual priorities.

Australian Simon Clarke, charged with helping Colombian Rigoberto Uran in his quest for the title, was similarly happy to tick this one off.

“We train for stages like this. For sure it was tough, but the Tour de France isn’t designed to be easy,” Clarke said.