Second on the stage, Marlen Reusser almost secures a podium

The Dutchwoman Demi Vollering won the 5th stage of the Tour de France Women on Wednesday in Belleville-en-Beaujolais, beating the Swiss Marlen Reusser, who retained the yellow jersey, and the Polish Kasia Niewiadoma in the sprint.

These three runners isolated themselves in the lead in two stages, under the leadership of Vollering, in the last two of the eight difficulties of the day, the Col de Durbize and Mont Brouilly, 30 then 10 kilometers from the line.

Outgoing winner, Frenchwoman Pauline Ferrand-Prévot had a bad day finishing two and a half minutes behind the winner, losing any chance of achieving the double.

She is now in 17th place in the ranking, five minutes from the lead.

“We must not turn a blind eye: such a gap is irrecoverable,” conceded the Rémoise.

Vollering/Reusser/Niewiadoma: the leading trio of this stage contested in the Beaujolais mountains undoubtedly foreshadows the final podium on August 9. The order remains to be known on Sunday evening in Nice.

In the provisional classification, Reusser remains in the lead with 12 seconds ahead of Vollering. Neiwiadoma, 3rd, concedes 1 min 17 sec.

The gap is made with fourth place occupied by the German Antonia Niedermaier at 2:40.

Thursday, between Montbrison and Tournon-sur-Rhône, the 6th stage offers a new hilly route, difficult to negotiate after six days of racing. Less than 50 km from the line, the Col de Lalouvesc (8.6 km at 5%) will encourage skimming and perhaps a nice escape.