Jens Voigt has had a slow start to his final professional season but today he was back in the thick of the action at the WorldTour level. The German bridged the gap to the early break but when Alberto Contador detonated the peloton, he saw his chances getting crushed.

The 189.5-kilometer stage five from Sisteron to La Mure consisted of six categorized climbs, four that were rated level two. It was a day for the puncheurs. And similar to yesterday, it was a day for a breakaway to succeed.

As a result of a large, early crash, which neutralized the race momentarily, it was not until 40 kilometers had been covered that nine riders broke clear. This group would swell to 16 men in the ensuing kilometers, but no pinstriped jersey was among the escapees.

“Well we had the desire – and order – to go into the breakaway today," Voigt said. "We lost Giacomo [Nizzolo] so our best chance is to go into a break. So we all tried at the start. Then there was a crash in the peloton 14k after the start and that neutralized the race so these riders could come back. I think that was a real classy move from the riders to show this solidarity.

Then the race reopened and we did not manage to catch the first break. Then we had the Col de Manse climb and there were 40 guys in the first group with Haimar. Popo [Popovych} and I were just behind, and caught back on by the top. We told Haimar we were here, and he told us that the break was just up the road, and you could see them. So I gave it a go – nothing to lose.  I waited for a little downhill to gain speed and attacked into the uphill; full gas, all-in.”

Jens Voigt took matters in hand and made a monstrous effort to bridge to the large group up the road. It was an exceptional move to join the breakaway of 16, but if anyone could do it, indeed, there are none better than ‘Jensie’. 

“At the start I thought, yah I am gonna catch them," he said. "Then for a while Sky was riding hard, I was in the middle going full-gas, and the break was also going fast. There, I had a little doubt. I have to say that not too often in my career have I had doubts, but today I was like, ’oooh, I don’t know about this idea, now.’ 

“I just kept going, did another maximum effort on another uphill, and got a little closer to the cars behind the front group.Then I knew if I could catch the cars I would make it. It took about 10k. When I got there I missed a few turns to catch my breath a little, and then it was about eating and drinking enough and trying to stay out there as long as possible.”

The effort required left Voigt with little left in the tank for the final climbs, the Col de la Morte and Côte de Laffrey.  But it was a daring move by Alberto Contador on the long descent between the final climbs that hammered the nail into the coffin for Voigt and the rest of escapees - less one: Simon Spilak (Katusha) attacked the leading group, held off the decimated peloton, and soloed to a merited victory.

“When we heard that Contador had attacked behind it was clear that they were going to go full gas on the last climb and they were going to catch us," he said. "So we all knew it was the moment to go, and if I had had the legs, I would have gone. Spilak was a little bit stronger than us, and dropped us. It was a deserved win for him. He was out there all day, fighting and working for it. In the end he took the risk going all-alone.

"When Contador attacked he exploded everything. I did not expect that, but I like the way Alberto races – try to make your destiny and going all-in. I like to see these moves, it did not make my life any easier, but I think it was a cool move. It was very entertaining and thrilling.  In the end it was another day the breakaway made it. We still have Haimar holding onto his GC position, and tomorrow we see again.”

Haimar Zubeldia finished safely with the reduced peloton that came in 17 seconds after Spilak to keep his top 10 GC hopes burning. He moves back into 7th overall (+1'22"). Chris Froome continues to lead the overall.

Tomorrow’s stage six could possibly result in a sprint finish, but with Giacomo Nizzolo crashing out of the race on stage three, Trek Factory Racing will play the breakaway card once more.

Femy Beppu pulled out of today’s stage with exhaustion, feeling the post-race effects from the Giro d’Italia and also the hot weather that has been plaguing this race.

Hayden Roulston was an unfortunate casualty of a nagging right foot injury that also forced him to withdraw from today’s stage. The sore right foot caused him to compensate with his left leg and affected his left Achilles tendon. Not wanting to take any risk, Roulston abandoned the Critérium du Dauphiné leaving the team with five riders.