5 th stage: Ypres-Arenberg Porte Hainaut
A short incursion into Belgium with a start from Ypres, which is part of the greater Lille Métropole agglomeration and hosts the Tour for the first time. Ypres flourished in the 12th century. The third-largest city in Flanders (after Ghent and Bruges), Ypres played a leading role in the history of the county. Its annual market had a European reach, and it became a major center for drapery craftsmanship, as evidenced by the famous Cloth Hall, destroyed by bombings in the 2nd World War and rebuilt.
Cloth Hall, Ypres
It has been dubbed the stage of all dangers because of its 9 cobblestone sectors. The finish is in Arenberg, whose famous "trouée" (gap) is on the program. Crossed during the legendary Paris-Roubaix race, it is feared by all cyclists (almost all, as some have made it their specialty) due to its offset rather than aligned cobblestones, which leave no ideal trajectory along its 2.4 km. For the favorites, there could be a "before" and an "after" the cobblestones. Without creating a winner, this stage could create big losers... As shown by the course of the stage, considerably hardened by inclement weather, which forced Chris Froome to abandon!
Chris Froome after his 2nd fall of the day
Discover the Arenberg Gap, if only to hear the "Ch'ti" accent of the guy who maintains it...