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11:45:40 - Welcome To The Live Coverage Of Stage Five

The fifth stage of the 96th Tour de France is scheduled to begin at 12.25pm. The race is a 196.5km journey from Cap d'Adge to Perpignan and the conditions just before the start are warm and sunny. This region of France is notorious for strong winds and we can expect this to play a part in how the stage is raced.

There is a neutral zone after the formalities have been completed in Cap d'Adge and the official start is expected to be at around 12.45pm. Live coverage will commence shortly.

12:21:41 - Rolling In Neutral Zone...

The formalities are complete and the peloton is currently rolling through the neutral zone on its way to the site of the start proper.

12:26:59 - Prize Classifications: Part 01 – Yellow Jersey

In the team time trial Lance Armstrong had to finish 40 seconds ahead of Fabian Cancellara if he was going to take over the lead in the general classification after four stages of the 2009 Tour de France. The American did just that: exactly. Astana was 40 seconds faster than Saxo Bank in the 39km TTT; but as the two riders at the top of the overall rankings have effectively the same time, a count-back to the opening time trial was done.

Cancellara finished the 15.5km first stage in 19 minutes 32.130 seconds.

Armstrong covered the course in Monaco in 20 minutes 12.350 seconds.

And so it’s down to the fraction of a second and just 0.22 separates the rider in first and second in the general classification.

This means that Cancellara will wear the yellow jersey for a fourth successive day in the 96th Tour.

12:27:55 - Just 2.57 Meters Difference Between Cancellara and Armstrong

Some calculations have been made regarding the distance between the riders ranked first and second in the general classification and we can confirm that after 438km of racing (at an average speed of 41.183km/h) the distance between Cancellara and Armstrong after four stages of racing in the 2009 Tour is just 2.57 metres.

The time difference is just 0.22 seconds, perhaps the closest margin between first and second in the history of the Tour.

12:35:50 - Prize Classifications: Part 02 – Green Jersey

There is no change in the points classification after the fourth stage as points are not awarded in team time trials. This means that Mark Cavendish (THR) will spend his third day in the green jersey. He and his Columbia-HTC colleagues finished fifth in the 39km race in Montpellier yesterday.

Thor Hushovd (CTT) spent the early years of his career living about 20km from the site of today’s stage finish. The Norwegian winner of the green jersey in 2005 is currently ranked second in the points classification with 54pts, 16 less than the British sprinter.

Samuel Dumoulin (COF) is third with 36pts and Cancellara ranked fourth with 35pts.

12:40:09 - Ciolek Crashes In The Neutral Zone

The sprinter from the Milram team Gerald Ciolek has crashed in the neutral zone. He is back on his bike and riding again.

12:42:32 - Prize Classifications: Part 03 – Polka-Dot Jersey

Jussi Veikkanen continues to lead the climbing classification thanks to his efforts in the second stage. He collected all nine points of his tally on the three final ascents of the stage to Brignolles. In second place in the race for the polka-dot jersey is Tony Martin (THR) while another escapee – Koen De Kort, who was part of The Break in stage three – is ranked third.

12:43:12 - Train Causes Delay...

The peloton is now waiting for a train to pass at a level crossing. Christian Prudhomme has announced on Radio Tour that the delay will be approximately three minutes before the peloton can start riding again.

12:44:09 - Prize Classifications: Part 04 – White Jersey

Tony Martin, the rider ranked eighth overall, is wearing the white jersey again today. It is the second prize jersey for the Columbia-HTC team and the German has a lead of 39” over Roman Kreuziger (LIQ). The Czech’s team finished one-second ahead of Martin’s squad yesterday so he did take back a tiny bit of time in the classification open to riders born after 1 January 1984. In third is Kreuziger’s team-mate Vicenzo Nibali at 44” and fourth is last year’s white jersey winner Andy Schleck, at 45”.

12:45:43 - Rolling Again...

The train has passed and the bunch is now able to continue its procession towards the site of the official start.

12:46:12 - Lampre The First To Attack

As soon as the flag fell to signal the official start, there was an attack by a rider from Lampre. The stage officially began at 12.46pm. There are 178 riders still in the race. Piet Rooijakkers (SKS) is the rider forced to abandon after a crash in the team time trial yesterday.

12:48:08 - Peloton Together At 3.5km

The early attack by a Lampre rider amounted to nothing. The peloton is all together as it passes the 3.5km mark.

12:50:47 - Two Climbs, Three Sprints...

The 196.5km fifth stage, from Cap d’Adge to Perpignan, includes two category-four climbs – the col de Feuilla (at 112.5km) and the cote de Treilles (at 116.5km). There are also three intermediate sprints: they are in Capestang (40.5km), Saint-Jean-de-Barrou (107.5km) and Canet-en-Roussillon (158.5km).

12:52:43 - Four In The Lead...

At the 8km mark, there are four riders attempting to establish an escape group. We await confirmation of the names of those involved in the move.

12:57:52 - Medical Report On Rooijakkers

The second rider to abandon the 2009 Tour is Piet Rooijakkers of the wildcard team, Skil-Shimano. The 28-year-old crashed in the team time trial and broke his left arm in three places. He also fractured his right ring finger in the fall. He underwent surgery that lasted for seven hours last night in the university hospital Lapeyronie in Montpellier last night. He will remain there for two or three more days before he will return to his home in Gerwen, The Netherlands. The team doctor Edwin Achterberg says that he believes the recuperation will last about three months.

12:59:46 - More Attacking Riders...

At the 10km mark there are a number of other riders attempting to bridge the gap to the four stage leaders. In accordance with new rules introduced by the organizers last year, no names will be announced by Radio Tour until the advantage of the escapees grows to more than 30 seconds.

13:02:16 - Three Stage Leaders

There are three men in the lead of the peloton which is now at the 12km mark. The men involved are: Geslin (FDJ), Voeckler (BBO) and Sapa (LAM). They had been joined by Beppu (SKS) but the Japanese rider retreated to the peloton at the 10km mark.

13:04:08 - The Current Situation...

Anthony Geslin (FDJ), Thomas Voeckler (BBO) and Marcin Sapa (LAM) are now 25" ahead of the peloton. The move was instigated by Fumijuki Beppu (SKS) but he has been caught. There is a rider attempting to cross the gap to the stage leaders. Mikhail Ignatiev (KAT) is the rider in no man's land at the moment. He is 20" behind the leading trio.

13:07:39 - Three Lead Three Chasers...

Geslin, Voeckler and Sapa continue to lead. They are 20" ahead of three others: Ignatiev (KAT), Hutarovich (FDJ) and Timmer (SKS). Then peloton 55" behind at the 17km mark.

13:09:45 - Riders In Peloton Answer Nature's Call...

It seems that the bunch is content with the selection of aggressors early today. At the 18km mark, there are a number of riders answering nature's call while the escapees push on with their move. The last time check for Geslin, Voeckler and Sapa had them 20" ahead of Hutarovich, Ignatiev and Timmer. The bunch was at 1'45" and this will be significantly more when the next time check is announced.

13:13:29 - Leaders In Beziers

The six escapees are now in Beziers which was where the 13th stage of the 2002 Tour concluded (and David Millar won the stage). Geslin's group leads Ignatiev's trio by 20" at the 21.5km mark.

13:16:19 - Peloton 2'45" Behind

As the bunch arrives in Bezier (at 21.5km) the peloton is at 2'45".

13:18:03 - Three & Three Makes Six...

The three chasers have caught the three leaders at the 23km mark. The men at the front of the stage are: Anthony Geslin and Yauheni Hutarovich (FDJ), Marcin Sapa (LAM), Thomas Voeckler (BBO), Mikhail Ignatiev (KAT) and Albert Timmer (SKS).

13:23:30 - Ignatiev Best Placed Of Escape

Of the six men in the lead of the fifth stage, the best placed in the general classification is Mikhail Ignatiev. The 2004 Olympic points race champion is 39th overall after 438km, 3'02" behind Fabian Cancellara.

His move is now 5'30" ahead of the peloton which means the Russian Katusha rider is currently the virtual leader of the Tour de France.

13:26:38 - World Champion Injured Yesterday

One of the riders to crash in the fourth stage was Alessandro Ballan, the reigning world champion. His Lampre team finished 17th in the stage and the directeur sportif Fabrizio Bontempi confirmed that it was a difficult day because of numerous incidents. "Considering that we had to face two crashes, three changes of bikes and that [Marzio] Bruseghin in not in ideal condition because of an accident in stage three things are interesting for the Tour. I think all that caused a loss of two minutes.

The team’s doctor described his riders' conditions: "Ballan has grazes on his left side, especially on the elbow and on the hip, while Loosli didn't suffer wounds. Furlan has many grazes on the back, both elbows and on the left knee. Luckily today Bruseghin was safe from injuries. Ballan and Furlan will be at the departure of the 5th stage".

13:31:43 - 6'30" Between Escape & Peloton

As the peloton arrives at the 29.5km mark, its deficit to Ignatiev's group is 6'30".

13:33:28 - Baby Boy For Nicolas Portal

One of the French riders on the Caisse d'Epargne roster, Nicolas Portal - who is not riding the Tour, but has done so in the past - has announced that his wife had a baby boy yesterday.

13:38:34 - Lead Up to 8'40"

With the peloton at the 33km mark, it is 8'40" behind Ignatiev, Geslin, Hutarovich, Sapa, Timmer and Voeckler.

13:40:13 - Leaders Near Capestrang

The leading six are about to contest the sprint for points in Capestrang at the 40.5km mark.

13:43:34 - Columbia Lead Peloton

The Columbia team has once again taken responsibility for setting the pace of the peloton which is now 9'35" behind the escapees. Saxo Bank's time trial king Fabian Cancellara said yesterday that they would re-assess the situation and decide if they would police the attacking riders. It seems they've opted not to.

13:47:10 - Results Of First Sprint

The points for the first sprint of the stage were won by:

1. Geslin (FDJ) 6pts

2. Hutarovich (FDJ) 4pts

3. Voeckler (BBO) 2pts

13:47:59 - Average Speed For First Hour

The leaders have covered 41.6km in the first hour of racing in stage five.

13:48:16 - Columbia Pulls Back Some Time

The advantage of the six escapees has dropped to 8'10" as the peloton arrives at the site of the intermediate sprint (at 40.5km).

13:53:50 - Hutarovich A Double Stage Winner Near Perpignan In February

One of the riders in the escape today, Yauheni Hutarovich - the two-time Belorussian national champion from the FDJ team - won the first and fifth stage of this year's Tour Mediterranean in February this year. He beat Jimmy Casper in a sprint in Narbonne in stage one and another sprinter, Robbie Hunter, in the fifth stage that concluded in Marseille.

13:58:07 - Lead Down to 7'05"

Just before the site of the sprint (40.5km) the six leaders worked up a maximum advantage of over nine minutes. A number of Columbia riders have started setting the pace of the peloton recently and the deficit is now down to 7'05".

14:02:13 - Columbia Determined To Put On A Demonstration

In stage three Columbia confessed that it was frustrated that no other team would work. The US-registered team is again in charge of the chasing duties and they are decimating the advantage of the six escapees. At the 40km mark, Ignatiev's group was 9'35" ahead; at the 50km mark, it's down to just 6'00".

14:08:09 - Columbia-HTC Comments On Tactics (Part 01)

LeTour.fr recently contacted Allan Peiper, a directeur sportif of the Columbia team to find out what the tactics for the day are doing to be. “We’re not going to get any help from any other team and we don’t have the yellow jersey,” he said.

“Everyone is going to be nervous because of what happened the other day,” said Peiper, referring to the split caused by his riders in the final 30km of stage three. “We’ve just seen Rabobank come forward and do a bit of a turn at a really fast pace and that seems like a reaction to us moving forward.

“We’ve made a decision that we’re going for it today. We’re riding tempo already. If our boys decide to really go hard then the best place to be is in the front and be ready for what happens. Once the bunch splits up into echelons, it’s hard for everyone.”

14:21:43 - Comments From Columbia-HTC (Part 02)

“We did what we had to do the other day because we were forced into a corner and instead of behaving like school kids and just saying, ‘Oh, no one else is riding to chase the escape back so we won’t either’, we lit it up,” said Allan Peiper of the surge in the final 30km of stage three. “The best form of defense is going on the offensive. We’re not trying to prove a point today but if we’ve got to ride we want to do it properly. We did it the other day for a specific reason. There was an opportunity. And we took it.”

14:26:29 - Lead Under Five Minutes...

Hutarovich, Geslin, Voeckler, Ignatiev, Sapa and Timmer did at one stage have a lead of 9'35" but that's almost been halved. The peloton is now 4'40" behind at the 64km mark.

14:28:14 - Garmin Also Working

The Garmin-Slipstream team has also come forward to cooperate with Columbia to reel in the escapees.

14:30:37 - Peloton Strung Out In One Long Line...

The number-two car that's carrying Sebastien Piquet, the voice of Radio Tour, which is driving behind the peloton has reported that the speed is currently up around 65km/h as the Garmin and Columbia teams set the pace at the head of the peloton.

14:34:21 - Two US Teams In Control

Several riders from the Columbia team expressed frustration the other day at the apathy of other teams when it came to chasing down the escapes. Today they can at least be grateful that Garmin, the runners up in stage four, has opted to cooperate.

There's a good reason for this work and it relates to one man: Tyler Farrar. The American was second to Mark Cavenidish in stage two and the profile of today's stage suggests that another sprint finish could be possible.

14:36:40 - Leaders Near Feedzone

The feedzone today is in Thezan-des-Corbieres at the 88km mark. The escapees are about to arrive here.

14:42:23 - Lead Down To Four Minutes

The advantage of Hutarovich, Geslin, Voeckler, Ignatiev, Sapa and Timmer is down to 4'00".

14:43:11 - Rogers Punctures

Michael Rogers of the Columbia team has just punctured his front tire. He is waiting for the team car to get a new wheel.

14:45:28 - Average Speed For Second Hour

The average speed for the second hour is 38.4km/h. The average since the start of the stage is 40.0km/h.

14:48:53 - LeTour.fr's Survey For Today...

The question for the LeTour.fr survey for stage five is:

Now that Cadel Evans is 2'59" behind Cancellara and Armstrong, has the Australian lost the Tour de France in the team time trial?

So far, with over 6,000 votes, the majority believe that the Australian has lost his chances: Yes = 72 per cent; No = 28 per cent.

14:53:14 - Ignatiev's Virtual Lead Almost Over...

The advantage of the escape is down to 3'25". For the moment, Ignatiev (KAT) is still the virtual leader of the Tour after having started the fifth stage 3'02" behind Cancellara...

14:54:56 - Wind Blowing From The Right...

The wind has the potential to cause havoc today. At the moment it's blowing from the right of the bunch but so far the peloton hasn't split into echelons.

14:57:38 - Happy Birthday Jean-Rene Bernaudeau

Yesterday there was little to celebrate for the Bbox Bouygues Telecom team. Four riders overshot a right turn during the TTT and the squad finished second last in the stage. Today, however, they can at least celebrate the 53rd birthday of its manager Jean-Rene Berneaudeau who was the best young rider in the 1979 Tour de France.

15:00:56 - Peloton In Feedzone

As the peloton arrive in the feedzone (at the 88km mark) the deficit to the leading six is 3'20". The wind is now behind the bunch which is speeding along at a rapid pace thanks largely to the work being down by Columbia and Garmin.

15:04:34 - Lead Grows Again...

The peloton got to within 3'10" of the six escapees but the advantage has grown again (to 3'30") as the bunch arrives at the 93km mark.

15:10:11 - Comments From Frank Pineau

The FDJ team constructed a plan at the start of the stage and, so far, it's coming into effect. LeTour.fr recently spoke with directeur sportif Frank Pineau who explained the tactics for today's stage. "We wanted to have some riders in the lead group because when the race arrives back on the coast and turns south towards Perpignan, I'm expecting a 'bordure' like what happened at the end of stage three. If that happens, we want to be prepared."

The team has two riders in the escape today, Hutarovich and Geslin. "Both of these guys are good sprinters. If a split in the bunch occurs then they will be able to slot into the front group," said Pineau. "Ideally we will have a lead of three minutes when the peloton arrives at the coast (at the 133km mark)."

15:20:23 - Peloton 5km From 2nd Sprint

The peloton is now 3'50" behind Hutarovich, Geslin, Voeckler, Sapa, Ignatiev and Timmer as it passes the 5km to go sign for the second intermediate sprint (which is in St-Jean-de-Barrou, at 107.5km).

15:23:28 - Results Of Second Sprint

The leaders are 3'05" ahead of the peloton as the points for the second intermediate sprint were taken. The result of this prime is:

1. Marcin Sapa (LAM) 6pts

2. Anthony Geslin (FDJ) 4pts

3. Mikhail Ignatiev (KAT) 2pts

15:27:07 - Schierlinckx Crashes

There has been a crash involving Staf Schierlinckx (SIL) and Stephane Auge (COF). Both are back on their bikes after going off the left side of the road.

15:27:56 - Matt Lloyd Crashes

Matt Lloyd has crashed right on the line of the intermediate sprint. He is standing and getting a new front wheel before setting off again.

15:29:42 - Two Lotto Crashes In Two Minutes...

The Silence-Lotto team has had two crashes in two minutes. The first was Scheirlinckx at the 106km mark, then came Lloyd at the 107.5km mark.

15:30:38 - Lloyd's First Crash Since Fracturing Five Vertebrae

This is Matt Lloyd's second race since he crashed in the Amstel Gold race in April. When he fell in Holland he fractured his sacrum and chipped five vertebrae. His first race back was the Dauphine Libere and this is his debut in the Tour de France.

15:31:59 - Geslin Leads Over Climb

At the top of the first climb of the stage, Geslin has led Ignatiev to the line.

15:33:47 - Results Of First Climb

There was a rapid sprint for the points at the col de Feuilla (at 112.5km). The points were won by:

1. Geslin (FDJ) 3pts

2. Ignatiev (KAT) 2pt

3. Voeckler (BBO) 1pt

15:35:33 - Astana Moving Forward

There are a number of Astana riders now arrriving at the head of the peloton. The right turn at the coast is at the 133km mark. Currently the bunch is around the 107km mark.

15:36:43 - Peloton 3'40" Behind On Climb

As the peloton arrived at the first climb, it was 3'40" behind Ignatiev's group.

15:37:41 - The Climbing Sprint Begins Again

Geslin has led Voeckler over the line of the second climb. The two Frenchman are now having a discussion at the front of the lead group.

15:39:29 - Results Of Second Climb

At the 116.5km mark, the points for the second (and last climb) of the stage were won by:

1. Anthony Geslin (FDJ) 3pts

2. Thomas Voeckler (BBO) 2pts

3. Albert Timmer (SKS) 1pt

15:40:15 - Yellow Jersey At The Front

The yellow jersey is now at the front of the peloton which is speeding towards the coast. Once they turn right, they can expect a headwind.

15:44:41 - Gesink Crashes

There has been another fall in the bunch. Robert Gesink is the latest victim. He's riding again but is now alongside his team car and things are not looking good for the Dutchman.

15:45:19 - Left Arm: Moving...

It looked like Gesink has concerns around his left hand. He is moving enough to suggest that his collarbone is okay but he's taking a second look at his hand after the crash...

15:46:15 - Two Wait For Gesink...

Two Rabobank riders have dropped behind the peloton to help the fallen Gesink rejoin the pack after his crash.

15:46:41 - Average Speed For Third Hour

The average speed for the third hour in stage five is 42.8km/h. The average since the start of the stage is 40.9km/h.

15:48:06 - Saxo Bank Taking Control...

The peloton had been led by riders from Caisse d'Epargne and Astana but now the Saxo Bank team is taking control. The bunch is 4'10" at the 122km mark. It is speeding along at a very rapid pace at the moment as it passes through the town of Caves.

15:50:51 - Andy Schleck Does A Strong Turn...

It seems the teams are trying to split the peloton. The head of the peloton is very aggressive with Andy Schleck and Fabian Cancellara amongst the rider swapping off while the wind is blowing at their backs...

15:51:56 - Gesink Still Not With Peloton

After his crash, Gesink has still not been able to rejoin the peloton. He has help from Niermann and Flecha but they are still working their way through the peloton.

15:54:09 - Gaps Opening Up...

For a brief moment 20 riders were dropped by the peloton. The speed is extremely rapid as they approach the coast and Veikkanen was one rider caught behind momentarily.

15:55:00 - Gesink Bleeding From Elbow & Knee

Gesink is still chasing the peloton. There is blood flowing from his left elbow and knee. He is working his way through the convoy but the pace is so fast he's still not been able to rejoin the peloton which is now 2'55" behind the six escapees.

15:59:58 - Gesink 1'25" Behind Peloton...

The timing of Gesink's fall could not have been worse. He is injured and is now losing time quickly. He is 1'25" behind the peloton as it flies along the coast thanks to stunning surges by the likes of Cancellara and Andy Schleck at the front...

16:01:43 - Peloton Splits

The efforts by Cancellara and his cohorts has caused a split in the peloton with 62km to go in the stage. Just as it split, Boonen has punctured.

16:02:39 - Peloton In Pieces...

Radio Tour has reported that the peloton is now in four different groups at the 133km mark. The Saxo Bank team is the most aggressive in the front group but Columbia riders are also contributing to the pace setting now.

16:04:08 - Armstrong & Cancellara In Front Group

There isn't a lot of distance between the various pelotons but we can report that there are four significant clusters of riders at the moment. In the front group are the two riders at the top of the general classification, Cancellara and Armstrong.

16:06:08 - About 40 In Lead Group

There are about 40 riders in the yellow jersey's peloton which is now 1'55" behind the six escapees. Menchov (RAB) is one rider who was not able to make the front selection. He is caught in the third group.

16:07:38 - Evans In Front Group

Most of the GC favorites are in the front group including the rider who dropped from 8th to 35th after the TTT, Cadel Evans. He has the support of at least four team-mates but so far Silence-Lotto has not spent any time at the head of the peloton.

16:09:17 - Gesink 1'10" Behind Lead Peloton

Gesink is fighting his way back to the peloton. He is still behind but has made up some ground. His deficit to the yellow jersey's peloton is now 1'10".

16:10:30 - Roche In Second Peloton...

There are about 50 riders in the second peloton and one jersey that is easy to identify is that of the Irish national champion, Nicolas Roche. This bunch is closing in on the yellow jersey's peloton but Astana is sharing the work with Saxo Bank and ensuring that the speed is as fast as possible.

16:13:47 - Gaps Between Peloton...

The leading six riders are 1'30" ahead of the yellow jersey's peloton, 1'40" ahead of the second group and 2'00" ahead of the third selection... there are 50km to go in the stage to Perpignan.

16:14:53 - Gesink Still One Minute Behind Nearest Peloton

Gesink is still being forced to chase. He remains about a minute behind the last of the pelotons.

16:16:03 - Two Pelotons Now...

The second peloton has caught up with the one that had been driven by Saxo Bank and Astana around the 148km mark.

16:17:00 - Wind Blowing From The Right...

As the peloton aims in a southerly direction, the wind is blowing from the right side of the road. The six escapees remain together and their have a lead of 1'15" on the yellow jersey's peloton.

16:18:00 - Gesink Reaches Second Peloton

Gesink never conceded defeat despite is crash at the 120km mark. He has arrived at the rear of the second peloton and is now (finally!) seeking treatment for his wounds from the race doctor. It's been a torrid hour for the Dutch Rabobank rider.

16:22:51 - 30 In Second Peloton

There are about 30 riders in the second peloton which is currently 1'00" behind the yellow jersey's group (which is 55" behind the six early escapees).

16:26:07 - Contador Delivers Banana To Sanchez...

As the pace eases momentarily there has been a bout of feeding with riders dropping back to team cars to collect drinks and food. As Contador (AST) arrived near the head of the bunch, he handed a banana to his friend Luis Sanchez (GCE).

16:28:06 - Results Of Third Intermediate Sprint

The leaders have contested the third sprint of the stage, in Canet-en-Roussillon (158.5km). The points were won by:

1. Marcin Sapa (LAM) 6pts

2. Thomas Voeckler (BBO) 4pts

3. Mikhail Ignatiev (KAT) 2pts

16:29:53 - 35km To Go

Ignatiev, Geslin, Voeckler, Timmer, Sapa and Hutarovich are still at the front of the stage. They have 55" on the first peloton with 35km to go. In the second group - which, at the last check, was 1'00" behind the yellow jersey's group - is Robert Gesink who crashed at the 120km mark.

16:34:22 - 40" Between Pelotons

The yellow jersey's peloton currently leads the second bunch by 40".

16:35:36 - Astana Leading Front Group

The Astana team has been doing most of the work at the front of the yellow jersey's peloton in the last 10km. Other teams contributing to the pace are Columbia and Liquigas.

16:41:29 - 40" Between Six & Main Pack...

With 30km to go, the first peloton is 40" behind Ignatiev, Geslin, Voeckler, Timmer, Sapa and Hutarovich and the second peloton is at 1'25".

16:42:46 - Astana Leading For 67 Percent Of Last 10 Minutes...

The Astana team has taken responsibility for the pace of the peloton in the last 10 minutes. Riders from Alberto Contador's team have been at the front of the yellow jersey's bunch for 67 per cent of the last 10 minutes. Then Cervelo (for 17 per cent of the time) and Liquigas (for 16 per cent of the time).

16:44:22 - Leaders 25km From Perpignan

Ignatiev, Geslin, Voeckler, Timmer, Sapa and Hutarovich are now in the final 25km of the fifth stage. They have been on the attack since the 12km mark.

16:45:11 - Situation With 25km To Go

The yellow jersey's group was 40" behind at the 25km to go sign. The second peloton was at 1'15".

16:46:21 - Six Increase Their Lead

Ignatiev, Geslin, Voeckler, Timmer, Sapa and Hutarovich have increase their advantage over the peloton. The six escapees are now 50" ahead of the yellow jersey's group.

16:48:39 - Two Pelotons Join

There are now just six riders ahead of a complete peloton. The junction of the two pelotons was at the 21km mark.

16:49:38 - Gesink Drifting Back Through Convoy

Gesink's Tour debut has become a disaster today. A fall at the most critical moment of the stage has cost him dearly. He had caught up with the second peloton, had medical treatment but he's now drifting back through the convoy of team cars.

16:50:36 - 20km To Go

The peloton is now 20km from the finish. It is 1'10" behind Ignatiev, Geslin, Voeckler, Timmer, Sapa and Hutarovich.

16:51:29 - Gesink 40" Behind Peloton

Gesink is now 40" behind the peloton as he passes under the 20km to go sign.

16:52:09 - Six Lead By 1'25"

The six escapees who joined forces at the 12km mark are now 1'25" ahead of the peloton which is now being led by Cervelo, Garmin and Columbia riders.

16:55:18 - 15km To Go...

The peloton is being led by Garmin riders with 15km to go in the stage. It is 1'25" behind Ignatiev's group of six.

16:56:33 - Expect A Move By Ignatiev

In the second stage, Ignatiev attacked the peloton in the final 10km. The Russian is a track specialist who is making his Tour debut this year. He's been in the escape for most of the day and has cooperated well with his cohorts but he's an aggressive rider and a betting man would do well to put some money down on him attacking the lead group before the finish of the stage.

16:58:16 - Agritubel Also Chasing...

There are also two riders from the Agritubel team doing short turns of pace at the front of the peloton which is still 1'25" behind Ignatiev's group...

16:59:16 - 10km To Go...

Garmin, Agritubel and Columbia are the teams swapping off at the front of the peloton - along with the occasional contribution from Cervelo - but they don't seem to be closing the gap to the six leaders who are still 1'20" ahead.

17:02:23 - Six Continue To Work Together...

The six escapees are sharing the workload. They have an advantage of 1'15" on the bunch as it passed under the 10km to go sign. Gesink is at 4'25" and it wouldn't be a surprise to learn that he's fractured a bone in his left hand. He was nursing it since falling at the 120km mark.

17:05:13 - Skil-Shimano Also Moving Up...

There are a number of Skil-Shimano riders now also moving up to the front of the peloton to help with the chasing duties.

17:07:21 - Ignatiev Attacks

Just as it was announced that Ignatiev was the most aggressive rider of the stage, the Russian attacked the lead group with 6.5km to go.

17:07:56 - Voeckler Closes Gap To Ignatiev

Voeckler has been able to chase down the surge by the Russian in the lead. So too has Timmer (SKS) and Hutarovich (FDJ). They are now 1'00" ahead of the peloton.

17:08:48 - Four In The Lead

The six have been reduced to four with five kilometers to go. The leaders are now: Ignatiev, Hutarovich, Voeckler and Timmer.

17:09:31 - Voeckler Attacks

Voeckler has attacked the lead group with 5km to go.

17:09:46 - Voeckler Opens Up Good Lead

Could this be the day that Voeckler finally wins a stage of the Tour? He has opened up a good advantage on the three others in the lead group. There is less than 4km to go in the stage and Voeckler appears to be in control...

17:10:35 - A Great Birthday Present?

Could Voeckler give his team manager the perfect 53rd birthday present? BBox has only ever won one stage of the Tour before and currently it looks like Voeckler can maintain his advantage all the way to the finish...

17:11:33 - No Stage For The Sprinters...

The peloton is out of contention now. There is less than 3km to go in the stage and the bunch is about 50" behind Voeckler who has a solid lead on the other escapees.

17:12:16 - Voeckler Leads By 10"

Timmer is 10" behind Voeckler with less than 3km to go in the stage. This is turning into Thomas' day.

17:12:53 - Never Say Die...!

Voeckler is one of the most aggressive riders in the peloton, especially at the Tour de France. He is a regular in the escape groups and it seems that he may finally get the victory he's worked so hard to achieve. He is less than 1,000m from the finish; the bunch is out of contention and it seems that he's timed his move to perfection...

17:14:20 - Voeckler 12" Ahead

Voeckler is 12" ahead of Timmer with less than 1,000m to go. This is his first stage victory and it's been a long time coming. Take a bow Thomas. Lovely work by a perpetual aggressor!

17:15:43 - Tears Of Joy For Voeckler

Thomas Voeckler crossed the finish line with tears in his eyes. It's his Bbox Bouygues Telecom team's second stage victory in the Tour de France but the first for the former French champion.

18:00:11 - The Top Five In Stage Five...

The sprinters didn't have their way today. In fact two of the escapees that raced ahead at the 12km mark beat the bunch to the line. The top five in the stage from Cap d'Agde to Perpignan is:

1. Thomas Voeckler (FRA) BBO - 196.5km in 4h29'35" (43.734km/h)

2. Mikhail Ignatiev (RUS) KAT - at 7"

3. Mark Cavendish (GBR) THR - at 7"

4. Tyler Farrar (USA) GRM - at 7"

5. Gerald Ciolek (GER) MRM - at 7"