Stage 5 Review
By Phil Liggett

There is no such thing as a quiet day on the Tour de France and this fifth stage, which traced the shores of the Mediterranean Sea for the last 40 miles, proved to be another tough day in the saddle.

It had a happy ending for Frenchman Thomas Voeckler, who was part of a six-man breakaway that survived a full day in front, to win by seven seconds in Perpignan. The group had lead for over 180 kilometres.

Voeckler, in his seventh Tour has never before won a stage although he did hold the lead for 10 days in 2004 before Lance Armstrong took it from him and won the race.

But today, he was back on top giving the French their first stage win since Sylvain Chavanel outsprinted Jeremy Roy in Montlucon at the end of stage 19 last year.

Six riders got away seven miles after leaving Cap d'Agde and after gaining almost 10 minutes a violent chase back ensued and the lead tumbled to just 35 seconds. It seemed they were doomed.

Then, with a change of win direction, the field inexplicably slowed and second by second the six leaders moved clear again. With just under five kilometres to go and a lead of about 58 seconds, the leaders started to attack one another and this possibly held off the chasers from the peloton.

Only two riders survived from the front runners with Voeckler riding home alone and Mikhail Ignatiev just holding his wheel in front of the fast-finishing Mark Cavendish and American Tyler Farrar and the field. It was Thomas's greatest win of his career.

Overall there was no change among the leaders and Lance Armstrong remains in second place, but on the same time as leader Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland. Cancellara has now set a Swiss record as leader of the Tour and has a career total of 14 yelloe jerseys now, including five from this year's event.