It’s not a big change. But the organizers of the Tour de France do not trifle with safety. They have decided to slightly modify the route of the 5th stage between Lille and Arenberg-Porte du Hainaut because of the development works on the road which made the approach to the first cobbled sector on July 6 between Villers-au-Tertre and Fressain, south of Douai. This modification extends this stage, which was initially 153.7 kilometres, by 3.3 kilometres.
During the reconnaissance last fall, the work had not yet been done. A chicane has been set up 500 meters from the entrance to the cobblestones to slow down traffic “This arrangement has been installed with the aim of improving road safety but poses safety problems for a peloton which will most certainly be launched at high speed when approaching the first cobbled sector. The entrance to the first cobbled sector, it’s like a finish line”, explains Thierry Gouvenou, the race director.
3.3 km more route
Move the button from left to right to compare the route before and after the change.
The solution was quickly found. The runners will take this first cobbled section between Villers-au-Tertre and Fressain, in the opposite direction. This therefore has no effect on the total cobblestone distance, which remains 19.4 kilometres. The 5th stage of the Tour de France has 11 cobblestone sectors.
The organizers are worried about the next editions of the Tour and other cycling events. “The roads are less and less suitable for racing,” underlines Thierry Gouvenou.
Stage 5 interactive map
Discover the route of the 5th stage by zooming in on our interactive map which has been updated.