Our rider spent 180 kilometers in the break on the last stage before the race entered the mountains.
Pepijn Reinderink showed the Soudal Quick-Step colors on the long stage five of the French race, which travelled from Saint-Chamond to Villars-les-Dombes - where the race returned after more than a decade - over 195.8 kilometers.
The Dutchman was extremely active in the front group, taking solid pulls and picking up points on the climbs and at the intermediate sprints. As the peloton chewed into their advantage, the escapees continued to believe in their chances, especially as on the previous three road stages, the breakaway managed to fend off the bunch’s efforts. Reinderink even launched a strong attack in the final 15 kilometers, which helped the move gain a few more seconds just as the chasers were rapidly making up ground, but the peloton eventually prevailed and reeled them in.
Pepijn’s strong day at the front didn’t go unnoticed, and the 24-year-old went straight to the podium after the finish to take the award for the most combative rider of the stage - a well-deserved recognition of his day in the breakaway.
“After missing the breakaway in the past days, we were determined to be there today. Unfortunately, the chances of a big sprint were high, so it was difficult to surprise the bunch. I am happy with the legs I had and with the most combative rider award. Now we’ll focus on helping Valentin and Steff as best as we can in the mountains”, Pepijn said after the stage.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
