Stage 5 of Criterium du Dauphiné was a 167-kilometer short and mountainous effort from Amplepuis to Saint-Priest, near Lyon in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region of France. The weather conditions were rainy and windy, and it appeared to be an annoying day in the saddle for the best riders in pro cycling.

The stage five route included two Category 4 climbs, one Category 3 climb, and one Category 2 climb.

The stage was dominated by a long three-man breakaway, which was established shortly after the start of the stage. The trio featured Ådne Holter (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team), Tobias Bayer (Alpecin-Deceuninck), and Best Climber Competition leader Mathis le Berre (Arkea – B&B Hotels).

The advantage of the front group had been reduced to 01:27 seconds as the trio approached the ending of a dangerous descent with 38 kilometers left. The roads were slippery and both Holter and Le Berre almost crashed because their rear wheels slid on the wet roads. Holter even dropped his Garmin Edge cycle computer.

A crash occurred in the main peloton with 37 kilometers left. The crash involved riders such as Andreas Kron (Lotto-Dstny) and American Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost), who had performed surprisingly well in yesterday’s individual time trial. The speed hadn’t been especially fast due to the dangerous conditions, so all riders fortunately got back on their bikes.

Holter was dropped from the front trio on the descent from the Category 4 Cote du Bel-Air and was later caught by the chasing peloton, which was headed by the Soudal-QuickStep team in support of its race leader Remco Evenepoel. Bora-Hansgrohe was also active at the front for their team leader Primoz Roglic. The sprinter teams were also playing an important role in the chase in order to pave the way for a stage victory for their sprinters.

The stage was neutralized by race organizer A.S.O. with approximately 22 kilometers left because a major crash occurred in the main peloton. The wet and slippery roads had brought down numerous riders including race leader Evenepoel.

It appeared several riders were injured following the crash. Blood was flowing and jerseys and bib shorts were torn. Hopefully the crash would not have significant influence of the coming Tour de France 2024. The Cote de Bel-Air climb hadn’t brought much Fresh Prince of Bel-Air moods to the professional cycling peloton.

Following a long period of ongoing treatment of injured riders on and along the roads, it was decided that the stage would be permanently neutralized and no stage winner would be found. The reason for the stage neutralization was the lack of ambulances to escort the peloton to the intended stage finish. All ambulances were now engaged in transporting injured riders to local hospitals.

The 2024 Criterium du Dauphiné will continue Friday with stage 6 from Hauterives to Le Collet d’Allevard. The stage route is mountainous, and the stage will culminate with a finish on the Outside Category (Hors Categorie) climb of Le Collet d’Allevard. The stage is expected to have a decisive influence on the General Classification in this year’s lead-up race to the Tour de France.

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com for additional race coverage from Criterium du Dauphiné 2024.

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