After a break we are back with the 5th stage. It might be the race deciding time trial today as the earlier stages haven`t been that selective.
We start with some unlucky guys, who lost their chance for a good overall result in crashes or splits.
Rolland
Vandborg
Velits
Rolland was said to be one of the top5 contenders. Especially after his win in Canada. But a crash destroyed all his plans and also today he still suffers a bit although he looks much better than the last 2 days.
Vandborg was one of the most unlucky guys. The Dane wanted to show his quality in his home country but punctured in a wrong moment.
Velits also crashed together with Rolland.
Vandborg shows where he could have ended in this race and sets a new best. Rolland is just 7s slower while last one is a bit further behind.
Ortega
The Chilean is a decent time trialist and still in the fight for the top spots. Not the best but also not the worst time. Could end in the top10 with a bit of luck.
Schädlich
Schädlich had a lot of luck that he is still in the fight for the overall win after losing contact on an earlier stage. So he might be the best pure timetrialist in the race, what he shows today. A new best time 25s faster than Vandborg.
Boom
He started the race as one of the big favourites. But then he had to work for Vantomme on every race and spent far more energy than his opponents, while Vantomme couldn`t even deliver anything.
Just like Schädlich he had a lot of luck that he did not lose time so far.
He can`t beat the German but is coming pretty close. Just 4s between them.
Flens
Another Dutch time trialist. Rick Flens is not that strong on the uphill sections and so he might have been a bit tired today. 10s slower than Boom. 3rd at the moment. Still this should be enough to get a good overall result.
Reus
And again one of the Dutch time trialists. Maybe the strongest one in this race and in CT division. He also shows this today by beating his team mate by quite a lot. 25s faster and now the top favourite for the overall win.
Elijzen
Guess where he is from...
He showed a aggressive race so far and wants to get a top result. He probably can live with the 5th at the moment as the others are a bit stronger.
Clement
The Dutch from the Pokerstars team also wants in the top10 but therefore he must have a great ride today. This can become very close. Similar time to Ortega, who also still hopes.
Koren
Maybe the last rider, who could beat stage leader Reus. Koren is a very similar rider to him and is very quick today. Not as quick as the Dutch but beating Schädlich shows how good his performance is. 2nd for him.
Bauer
The Kiwi is a decent time trialist and puncheur. A good combination for this race. It`s quite important for him to bring some points for Meiji. And he delivers. 9th at the moment and enough to enter the top10 spots in the overall.
Bonnet
The French collected important bonus seconds yesterday in the sprint. And he really wins a spot due to these. 7th today but climbing onto the 5th in the overall. Very smart move by him.
So Reus takes the leader jersey as Haussler wasn`t able to do that well in the time trial. VW with a great position now with Schädlich in 3rd.
