Stage Five—164.5km
Carhaix to Cap Fréhel
Ernest Hemingway once said his home town of Oak Park, Illinois was a neighborhood of wide lawns and narrow minds. Brittany, France is a region of strong winds and narrow roads. This tricky combination and some “natural breaks” proved painful today as too many guys on bikes squeezed their way through a crash-marred short stage. Heroes felt the pain of Wiggins, Chavanel, Boonen, Contador and Brajkovic just to name a few. But like proverbial show, the race went on, ending in another uphill sprint. Without the textbook Highroad leadout, Cavendish proved to be his own isle of man, powering past The Great Gilbert. As solitary men, Heroes often watch and wonder if Cav is capable of feats of heroism on his own. There is little doubt today.
We are hanging up our GC comments until Saturday while Thor holds a one second lead like he holds a hammer.