It is another short hop across today at just 92 kilometres but the Burkino Faso Meteorologists have their wind socks out and are predicting that desert wind once more.
So just two sprint primes and the Mercedes team have been putting riders in breakaways to gain that time. However todays breakaway of four riders, featured riders well back on GC so the two intermediate primes are likely to be irrelevant.
The riders are looking for TV time so here they are:
Four man move
Its Bagdonas (Bacardi), Reekers (Cillit Bang), Burlutskiy (El Al) and Perry (Pirelli) - its interesting to note that El Al and Cillit Bang probably feeling they have no chance on GC are placing guys in breaks. Looks like it is a similar case with Bacardi-Colt, who have of course been in fantastic back in Europe with the likes of Goss, Kirchen and Ricco. Pirelli however won the day yesterday and Perry perhaps is here to tire those riders in other teams.
At the first sprint it is Bagdonas who takes it.
Sprint 1:
1. Bagdonas
2. Burlovskiy
3. Reekers
Noticing they have missed the move, Mercedes decide to try and move Weiss across following that first sprint. It's a short stage so it is probably worth a go and it is not like their expectations will be high for JJ Haedo. Another Cillit Bang rider, Zenagai, comes along for the rider and Weiss now 6th on GC managed to bridge across with his companion.
Two more riders bridge
They get there before the second sprint and Weiss manages a second place here behind Burlutsky and ahead of Bagdonas.
Sprint 2:
1.Burlutsky
2. Weiss
3.Bagdonas
Weiss takes second at the second sprint
This moves Weiss above Blythe and Loddo to 4th on GC if he can finish with the peleton and assuming the final bonuses go his way. However he will have to work hard to stick with a fast moving peleton as a joint Pendletons, Quiksilver and 100% Me effort gets them back with 23km to go.
Breaks reeled in rather quickly
The early catch indeed will see Weiss distanced, which rather undoes all his good work and despite the forecast today's wind has not caused the problems of previous stages. Though it probably does mean that sprint trains need to make sure they time their efforts well in the closing stages.
With 4.2km to go we can see a couple on the right end side aside from the echelon like pace snake.
4.2km to go: 100% and Pendletons throw their hat in the sprinters ring
It is Sulzberger and Blythe for 100% Me and the Pendletons train is Tim Kennaugh, Van Heerden, Cucinotta (Intesa) and Nazon (Bacardi). There is a messy kind of line on the left where you may be able to make out the yellow jersey of Mohs toward the back kinda with Haedo playing rather close attention.
The right hand train becomes easier to see with 2.9km to go and the pace is ramping up.
2.9 to go 100% Me lead on the left and Pokerstars and Pirelli are on the left
Kluge is leading out but once again some distance away from Mohs, Loddo is closer to Paolini but is being tracked here by Haedo. Behind Mohs is the green points jersey of Allan Davis again like Mohs someway behind his lead out. As we move into the final stage of the sprint the 100% Me/Pendletons trains exposed so much earlier are now beginning to fade. Their sprinters have not come around, throwing the advantage to the Pirelli/Pokerstars men.
Mohs however is finding his path blocked and a Vespa rider Oscar Gatto has found a clear path through.
Mohs is blocked as we come up to the last kilometer
Gatto comes nipping through really quick as now Loddo realises he has to respond to his fellow Italian. Blythe is beginning to come into view but the faster Jaan Van Heerden is challenging him, with Davis and Mohs making their late bursts too.
Gatto goes forward and Loddo tries to respond.
The front two are in their own battle but the battle for third is close as lead-out men and sub sprinters fade it is Lorenzatto (Intesa), Van Heerden and Blythe battling for that last eight second bonus.
Gatto vs Loddo then three way battle for third
It will be Oscar Gatto who will take it on the line the Italians having a successful few days, with Loddo second and its Jaan Van Heerden who nabs third. Blythe just misses out here though is looking very keen with just one more sprint stage left till that cobbled one.
Gatto wins the fifth stage
The stage winner then jumps right up to the GC podium with Loddo now on the same time but just ahead on countback. Both remain seven seconds behind Erik Mohs who maintains his lead despite not really sprinting with the best. Van Heerden is menacing in 5th at 15 seconds. A number of riders still look handy with that nasty rough road stage in a couple of days time.
