Peter Sagan powers to second stage win in uphill battle at Quimper

World Champion won stage five of the Tour on an uphill finish into Quimper to extend his lead in the points classification Green Jersey

World champion Sagan, in the green jersey, was well placed in the final uphill run to the line start and once he kicked no one follow, beating Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) to the line. Philippe Gilbert (QuickStep Floors) put in a huge attack at the base of the final 750 m climb, but the Classics hardman faded as his rivals came round him, he had to settle for third. 

Yellow Jersey Greg van Avermaet was seventh, and remains the race leader having picked up a two-second time bonus earlier in the stage at an intermediate uphil sprint.

Before the stage both Michael Matthews and Tiesj Benoot abandoned, Matthews with stomach problems and Benoot after a big bunch crash on the run in on Stage 4. Drama grew as Robert Kiserlovski (Katusha-Alpecin) joined them on the abandoned list after crashing with Gianni Moscon inside the first 5km. 

Seven riders established the breakaway; Julien Vermote (Dimension Data), Nicolas Edet (Cofidis), Elie Gesbert (Fortuneo-Samsic), Jasper de Buyst (Lotto-Soudal), Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) and Direct Energie duo Sylvain Chavanel and Lilian Calmejane.

Chavanel led the way through the intermediate sprint as the seven-strong group built up a four-minute lead, while stage four winner Fernando Gaviria closed the gap to Peter Sagan in the green jersey by winning the intermediate sprint, narrowing it to just three points.

Chavanel soloed up the day’s early climbs, as he hoovered up the first four polka-dot climbing points. After the Cote de la Roche du Feu, Chavanel was re-joined by breakaway companions Skujins, Edet and Calmejane. Gesbert crashed heavily onto grass losing control while descending.

The tough parcours of the day saw it's first casualtie, Mark Cavendish was one of the first riders spat out the back as the climbs took their toll including with Marcel Kittel and Dylan Groenewegen joining him in the grupetto over 8 minutes down.

Chavanel was dropped and Skujins powered over the next two climbs to claim the polka-dot jersey.

The gap to the peloton was coming down and they caught the escapees in sight of the bonus sprint, allowing Julian Alaphilippe (QuickStep Floors) to snatch three bonus seconds followed by yellow jersey Greg Van Avermaet, extending his lead with two bonus seconds.

Rein Taaramae (Direct Energie) took advantage of a lull to escape, but he was soon swept up as the favourites for the stage gathered towards the front.

Gilbert went too early, and it was Peter Sagan who came round his rivals at the right time, once he did - a second stage win was never in doubt.

VIDEO: 2018 Tour de France Stage 5 Final Uphill Sprint Battle

2018 Tour de France Stage 5 Top 10

1 Peter Sagan (Svk) Bora-Hansgrohe 4:48:06 
2 Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain-Merida   
3 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Quick-Step Floors   
4 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team   
5 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors   
6 Daniel Martin (Irl) UAE Team Emirates   
7 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team   
8 Søren Kragh Andersen (Den) Team Sunweb   
9 Andrea Pasqualon (Ita) Wanty-Groupe Gobert   
10 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain-Merida  

2018 Tour de France GC after Stage 5

1 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team 18:22:00 
2 Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:00:02 
3 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:03 
4 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky 0:00:05 
5 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:06 
6 Bob Jungels (Lux) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:09 
7 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Sunweb 0:00:13 
8 Søren Kragh Andersen (Den) Team Sunweb   
9 Rigoberto Uran (Col) EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale 0:00:37 
10 Rafal Majka (Pol) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:52