As it happened: Sprinters finally have their day on Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes stage 5

Stage 5 of the 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes delivered the race’s first and only bunch sprint opportunity, a welcome change after several breakaway-dominated stages. Covering 195.8 kilometres from Saint-Chamond to Parc des Oiseaux – Villars-les-Dombes, the route was relatively flat with only minor climbs early on, making it ideal for sprinters to contest the finish. Wout van Aert took full advantage, securing a well-earned victory in a tightly contested sprint, marking a significant moment for the sprinters in this edition of the race. The stage began with a six-man breakaway featuring riders such as Pepijn Reijnderink and Thibault Guernalec, who quickly established a lead over the peloton. Despite their efforts, the break was reeled in as the race progressed, with the bunch closing in decisively in the final kilometres. The early climbs, categorised as Category 4, offered limited points and little impact on the general classification, which remained unchanged with Alex Baudin retaining the leader’s jersey for the fourth consecutive day. Several notable absences affected the start list, including Matej Mohoric and Movistar’s Ivan Romeo and Jefferson Cepeda, who were forced to withdraw due to illness. The stage also paid homage to Andrei Kivilev, with a memorial near the Col de la Gachet reminding fans of the late cyclist’s legacy and the subsequent safety reforms his tragic death inspired. This tribute added a poignant note to the proceedings as the peloton pushed through the region. Looking ahead, the race will shift focus back to the mountains with three Alpine stages on the horizon, where the general classification battle is expected to intensify. For sprinters, today’s stage represented a rare and valuable chance to shine, but the coming terrain will favour climbers and all-rounders as the race heads towards its conclusion. Van Aert’s win thus stands out as a highlight in a race otherwise dominated by breakaways and climbing specialists.