On the shortest stage of La Tropicale Amissa Bongo, another rider has emerged victorious. Miguel Ángel Fernández (Burgos-BH) was able to hold off a charging Geoff Soupe (Team TotalEnergies) and Henok Mulueberhan (Eritrea) at the line to secure the first win of his professional career.
With no major hills to climb, it was one of the fastest stages in the history of the event. The peloton sped from Kango to Angondjé at an average speed of 49.54 km/h, smashing the previous best set in 2020 of 46.85 km/h. At such a fast pace, many groups tried to break from the front, but not many succeeded for any real length of time. Soupe was able to get our front in a group of six, while another group of 14 were able to get a minute, but in both cases, they were reeled back in promptly. This set the stage for a big sprint finish.
With Team TotalEnergies controlling the front, a few late attacks were quickly brought back to set up for the sprint finish. As riders came through the final corner, Fernandez was able to get a small gap on the front, and hold it to the line with Soupe and Mulueberhane following behind. GC leader Jason Tesson finished 11th, only losing a few bonus seconds to his teammate in the overall standings.
On Saturday, the race continues with 120km in the economic capital of Gabon, Port-Gentil. Riders will cover 12 laps of the 10km urban course, facing multiple turns throughout the circuit. The pancake flat race will feature three intermediate sprints and no KOM points. Watch for another fast finish, though if the breakaway times it right, they could steal the day.
STAGE 5
- FERNANDEZ RUIZ Miguel (BBH) 2h05’21”
- SOUPE Geoffrey (TEN) 2h05’21”
- MULUEBERHAN Henok (ERI)
- ROSTOVITSEV SERGEY (BEY) 2h05’21”
- AMARI Hamaz (ALG) 2h05’21”
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 5
- TESSON Jason (TEN) 14h36’07”
- SOUPE Geoffrey (TEN) 14h36’11”
- MULUEBERHAN Henok (ERI) 14h36’24”
- BARTHE Cyril (BBH) 11h36’26”
- BLOWUE Louis (BWB) 14h36’27”
KOM CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 5
- TEUGELS Lennert (BWB) 8
- APARICIO Mario (BBH) 8
- AREFAYNE Aklilu (ERI)) 6
- ANGULO Antonio (BBH) 5
- LAGAB Azzedine (ALG) 5
SPRINT CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 5
- BARTHE Cyril (BBH) 10
- MULUEBERHAN Henok (ERI) 8
- UHIRIWE Byiza Renus (RWA) 6
- DAUMONT, Paul (BUR) 6
- KUERE NOUNAWE Rodrique (CMR) 6
POINTS CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 5
- TESSON Jason (TEN) 112
- SOUPE Geoffrey (TEN) 94
- MULUEBERHAN Henok (ERI) 78
- JANNIERE Emilien (TEN) 71
- SALBY Alexander (BWB) 71
BEST YOUNG RIDER CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 5
- MULUEBERHAN Henok (ERI) 14h36’24”
- BLOUWE Louis (BWB) 14h36’27”
- AMARI Hamza (ALG) 14h36’31”
- GEBREHWET EFREM Araya (ERI) 14h36’34”
- ED-DOGHMY Achraf (MAR) 14h36’35”
TEAM CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 5
- Erythree 43h49’29”
- Team TotalEnergies (France) 43h49’48”
- Bingoal-WB (Belgium) 43h49’48”
- EF Education-Nippo DT (USA) 43h49’48”
- Burghos BH 43h50’08”
Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Scott joined Bike World News as the Cyclocross Editor in 2012 before taking over as Tech Editor in 2016. He has also worked as a photographer for various pro teams and shoot races along the east coast of the US, including the 2012 US MTB National Championships, 2013 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, and 2016 UCI Road World Championships. Scott has a passion for performance and technology, with 35 years of riding and mechanic experience. He also enjoys soccer, running, teaching group fitness classes, and is the founder of Lancaster Beard Company.
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