Lidl-Trek’s Dane Pedersen produced a perfectly timed sprint to claim victory at the end of Tuesday’s 181.9km fifth stage of the Tour de France, as riders battled searing temperatures approaching 40°C in southern France.
Despite Pedersen’s stage success, Uno-X Mobility rider Torstein Træen emerged as the new overall race leader after finishing eighth on the day, crossing the line nearly 13 minutes ahead of the main peloton.
Pedersen’s teammate Quinn Simmons secured second place, while Movistar’s Raúl García Pierna completed the podium after the stage from Carcassonne to Foix.
Defending champion Tadej Pogačar surrendered the yellow jersey after holding it for just one day for the third consecutive Tour. The Slovenian finished 33rd on the stage and now sits seven minutes and 53 seconds behind Træen in the general classification.
The intense heat proved one of the day’s biggest challenges, with riders placing ice packs inside their jerseys to stay cool. As part of a trial, organisers also allowed cyclists to carry bags filled with ice and water instead of the usual individual bottles.
Træen became only the third Norwegian to wear the Tour’s iconic yellow jersey. The 30-year-old, who underwent cancer treatment in 2022, admitted the achievement had yet to fully register.
“It’s difficult to realise just how big this is, but seeing the expression on my former coach’s face shows how special the moment is,” Træen said.
“I still don’t think it’s really sunk in. Maybe it will in a few days, but for now I’m just enjoying every second of it.
“When I looked over and saw my teammates from the podium, it was clear how much it meant to all of us. It’s a very emotional moment.”
Pedersen praised the collective effort of the Lidl-Trek team in helping him cope with the extreme conditions.
“We have to accept the heat and do everything possible to stay cool,” he said.
“Fortunately, the team cars are much closer to the breakaway than they are to the peloton, which makes it easier for us.
“It’s a complete team effort. It’s not just the riders—there are staff members waiting along the roadside with fresh bottles and bags of ice to help us deal with the conditions.”
The race continues on Wednesday with a predominantly flat stage expected to favour the sprinters before the riders tackle the demanding climbs of the high Pyrenees on Thursday.
