Stage 5 of the Ain Bugey Valromey Tour 2017

(The final fireworks display). With a length of 106.5 km, this is the queen stage of the "Valromey", and only the least tired will be able to make the most of it. Indeed, yesterday's yellow jersey is likely to have heavy legs as he climbs the three first-category cols, and as in the past, an outsider may well put everyone in agreement. On the Valromey, nothing is decided until the last stage (except in 2013, when Mathieu VAN DER POEL took the yellow jersey on stage 1 and held it until Hauteville-Lompnès). But this exception (Mathieu has been a professional cyclocross world champion several times since) is unlikely to happen again. In fact, there's a real risk of an ambush rider taking the final overall classification at the finish line.
But on the first run, the riders will cross the town's historic center and take (after a first passage over the line) the rue de la Chapelle climb, which will prove to be very formidable before the Col de La Rochette. This is followed by the ascent of the Col de La Vieille Lèbe via BELMONT and VOGLAND, which is sure to wear out the body. As in the past, a lone man can set off at km 95 on the Lavant plain. At km 102.2, he'll still have the Charabotte climb to negotiate, then two bends at 300 and 200m to reach the new finish at Hauteville-Lompnès. But for sure, the winner will be a talented rider.

Vincent LAVENU & Bernard GAMBADE