Quimper, France: World champion Peter Sagan powered to his second win on this year’s Tour de France when he prevailed in the fifth stage, a 204.5-km hilly ride from Lorient on Wednesday.
The Slovakian stayed in his main rivals’ wheels in the final, punchy climb before outsprinting Italian Sonny Colbrelli and Belgian Philippe Gilbert, who were second and third, respectively.
Another Belgian, Greg Van Avermaet, retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey.
Australia’s Michael Matthews had earlier pulled out of the race prior to the fifth stage due to sickness, according to his Sunweb team.
Matthews won the points competition’s green jersey in 2017.
The 27-year-old Canberran’s hopes of challenging for the prize again came to an end prior to the start of Wednesday’s fifth stage from Lorient to Quimper.
“We’re sad to report that @blingmatthews is unable to start #TDF2018 this morning due to sickness. Feel better soon, Michael!,” said a statement by the Sunweb team.
Matthews won his maiden Tour de France stage in 2016, taking his tally to three from two editions when he won stages 14 and 16 a year later.
In 2017, Matthews also won the race’s green jersey, but only after sprint rivals Mark Cavendish, due to injury, and Peter Sagan, who was disqualified, were forced out of the race.
Sagan, who rides for Bora, had won the green jersey in the five previous editions (2012-2016) and was wearing it at the start of the fifth stage to Quimper.
