Wind and speed: two permanent characteristics of the Tour of Qatar that also characterized  the Arab race in the 5th stage For Lampre-Merida, Sacha Modolo made it thorugh the wind traps and the echelons and could fight against the best sprinters in the world.

The blue-fuchsia-green rider tried to achieve the goal of the first victory at the finish in Madinat ash Shamal, 153km from the start at Al Zubara Fort, but he failed to enter the top 10, finishing 11th.

33 riders took part in the final sprint, that was won by Kristoff. The Norwegian athlete tried to exploit a change of the wind direction with 5 km to go to escape with a small group of riders, forcing the other riders, including Modolo, into an intense chase that was completed at wih 2.5 kilometres to go.

“Day after day our group spirit is improving and our performances are more and more satisfying. Today we’ve been able to support Modolo, the athlete in our group with the best condition, until the last change of wind," sports director Philippe Mauduit explained. "Sacha did a good performance, it’s a pity he had to spend the remaining energy to chase the head of the race in the last 2 km.

"I’m happy to have seen the improvements Richeze has made. In the first stages he was suffering from breathing troubles but now he’s going better and today he gave Modolo very good support."