Jasper Stuyven best of bunch on feared cobblestone stage

Images and reactions from an epic Stage 5 at the Tour de France

It was a stage of the 2022 Tour de France that had Jasper Stuyven’s name written all over it: 11 cobbled sectors awaited the Tour de France peloton in Stage 5. A highly anticipated race for the classics specialists, but a feared course for most GC contenders.

The Trek-Segafredo Belgian rose to the occasion, attacking in the third from last cobbled sector – with the incredible Tadej Pogacar along for company – and set off in search of the breakaway that had been out front all day.

The pair pulled within 30 seconds of the five leaders, but would get no closer.

In the end, Stuyven rolled across the line in 6th place, the best of the bunch and one of the strongest on the day, but the breakaway got the rewards.

It was maybe a disadvantage that the cobbles were only after 80kms as it allowed the break to get too big of a gap, and at the end they stay away.

For myself, I could not [attack] too early because for a long time the GC teams were controlling and pulling for their leaders. I learned this in 2018 that you cannot go too early.

I did my acceleration and when I looked behind it was Tadej. I was happy he could go with me.

The group in front was very strong and I think they worked well together to stay away. Of course, it is a disappointment. It’s nice to be one of the strongest in the race but unfortunately only for 6th place. That’s a bummer.

I don’t think [Tadej and myself] lost momentum. I think in front when they realized we were at 30-35 seconds that they had to keep it rolling to the finish if they want to play for the win. Which they did. We knew from the start they were a strong group; I think we gave them too much at the beginning of the race.