Pogacar Powers to Time Trial Victory as Van der Poel Hangs onto Yellow

Defending champion Tadej Pogacar stamped his authority on the GC race as Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) defied all odds to keep the yellow jersey

Tadej Pogacar powered to a surprising victory on stage five of the Tour de France with an amazing time trial beating some of the world's best time trialers.

Pogacar, started fast and maintained his pace around the 27 km course to beat European champion, Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) who was in the hot seat.

But it was Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) who defied all odds to reatin the Yellow Jersey, with Pogacar moving up to second overall.

It was Dane, Mikkel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) wo went off very early and held onto the lead of the race until Mattia Cattaneo (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) came through and then Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) 

All attention was on the last 20 or so riders to leave the starting ramp.

Wilco Kielderman was the biggest loser, dropping from 5th to 13th overall losing 1m 48s'.

Richard Carapaz dropped from 3rd to 10th overall losing 1m 43s, with teammate Geraint Thomas moving up to 12th.

Moving up the GC too were Pierre Latour, Rigoberto Urán, Jona Vingegaard, Kasper Asgreen, Alexey Lutsenko and Primož Roglic.

Both Geraint Thomas and Primož Roglic put in good rides despite their injuries.

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) said afterwards, "I surprised myself today. I have to thank the team, we worked until midnight on the bike fit to try and get some more watts. I pushed myself beyond my limits, I am super proud of myself.

"I had some good reference points and saved some energy to really fight toward the end because I knew the last 2km were decisive. I had some left in the tank.

"I said yesterday I thought I would lose the jersey and it wasn't a lie. It's not my specialty but I've outdone myself today."

VIDEO: 2021 Tour de France Stage 5 Highlights

2021 Tour de France Stage 5 Top 10

1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates, in 32-00
2. Stefan Küng (Sui) Groupama-FDJ, at 19s
3. Jona Vingegaard (Den) Jumbo-Visma, at 27
4. Wout van Aert (Bel) Jumbo-VIsma, at 30s
5. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Fenix, at 31s
6. Kasper Asgreen (Den) Deceuninck - Quick-Step, at 37s
7. Primož Roglic (Slo) Jumbo-Visma, at 44s
8. Mattia Cattaneo (Ita) Deceuninck - Quick-Step, at 55s
9. Richie Porte (Aus) Ineos Grenadiers, at sametime
10. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana-Premier Tech, at 1-00

2021 Tour de France GC after Stage 5

1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Fenix, in 16-51-41
2. Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates, at 8s
3. Wout van Aert (Bel) Team Jumbo-Visma, at 30s
4. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Deceuninck - Quick-Step, at 48s
5. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana-Premier Tech, at 1-21
6. Pierre Latour (Fra) Team TotalEnergies, at 1-28
7. Rigoberto Urán (Col) EF Education-Nippo, at 1-29
8. Jonas Vingegaard (Den) Team Jumbo-Visma, at 1-43
9. Richard Carapaz (Ecu) Ineos Grenadiers, at 1-44
10. Primož Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma, at 1-48.
11 Kasper Asgreen (Den) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:01:49
12 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Ineos Grenadiers 0:01:54
13 Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:01:56
14 Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Movistar Team 0:01:58
15 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo 0:02:08