Stage Five : For the sprinters
This route is somewhat unusual since we will be going through Provins, which became a UNESCO world heritage site in December 2001. We will be visiting Montereau and Nemours before finishing in Montargis. There are no major difficulties during this stage which seems to be best suited to the sprinters. Yet this will all depend on who leads the Tour at that moment in time. Armstrong will be seeking to eliminate the largest number of rivals possible as early as he can, whilst biding his time to grab the Yellow Jersey. However, if he leads the general standings in Arenberg, he will probably let a breakaway go all the way in one of the three following stages to avoid having to bear the weight of the race on his shoulders. This is what happened in 2004, when Voeckler took advantage of such an “opportunity” in Chartres.
Montargis -- the destination town today:
• 3 times a stage town
• Population: 15,800
• Sub-prefecture of Loiret (45)
Montargis has already appeared on the route of the Tour in three previous editions and powerful finishers have always triumphed there. Herman Van Springel was the first to win here in 1969. In 1976, when the town hosted the start of a stage that finished in Créteil, another Belgian rider, Freddy Maertens, triumphed. On the Tour’s most recent visit, in 2002, the most Belgian of Australians, Robbie McEwen, was victorious…
Montargis’ main attraction is its canals and its 131 bridges and walkways, earning it the nickname of the “Venice of the Gâtinais”. The River Loing, its canals and lake create an atmosphere of freshness and charm. You can still visit the remains of the royal castle of Renée de France, who turned it into a refuge for the Protestants in the 16th century, as well as the ramparts which are currently being renovated.
A few years ago, the town launched an ambitious urban renovation programme, a firm commitment to the future and sustainable development. The Pâtis area has been completely restructured, with the creation of the Exhibition Gardens outside a newly renovated function hall. Next in line for renovation is the Sainte Madeleine church. Montargis has committed to the responsible approach of an Agenda 21, aimed at protecting the environment for the wellbeing of its inhabitants. These decisions have earned Montargis the label of “One of the most beautiful detours in France”.Roll of honor : Result after stage 4
13 CANCELLARA Fabian TEAM SAXO BANK 18h 28' 55"
95 HUSHOVD Thor CERVELO TEST TEAM 80 pts
135 PINEAU Jérôme QUICK STEP 13 pts
39 THOMAS Geraint SKY PRO CYCLING 18h 29' 18"
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