All the fuss around the team buses at the start of stage 5 in Ypres was about the decision of the organisers to suppress two cobbled sectors - Mons-en-Pevele and Orchies - because of the weather conditions. 

"It's a wise decision. Apparently, the two sectors were not practicable. One particularly is under trees and was totally flooded ," said Giant Shimano sports director Christian Guiberteau, who counts on John Degenkolb, second in Paris-Roubaix, to continue his team's wave of success.

"It's two sectors less, it will have an impact on the race but I'm sure we'll still have a great battle," he added.

For Dave Brailsford, the head of Team Sky, it was "the wisest decision".

"The riders safety must always come first. It's completely different to have cobbles on a one-day race or on a GC race when it can have a major impact on the outcome," he said.

"It would have been a shame after such a fantastic start in England to have a stage with such an impact on the GC," he added.

Asked about the condition of Chris Froome's wrist, injured in a crash in stage 4, Brailsford added: "He's sore. But it should be alright. It's not an ideal scenario but he's all set for this stage. He's a fighter."