Jasper Philipsen (UAE - Team Emirates) won an incredibly dramatic Stage 5, with Caleb Ewan (Lotto - Soudal) disqualified 25 minutes after the Stage's conclusion as the race commissaires reviewed footage that showed the Aussie headbut Philipsen three times in the final few hundred metres.
When the flag dropped marking the end of the neutralised zone, KOM Jersey wearer Jason Lea (UniSA - Australia) was joined by teammate Ayden Toovey & Clement Chevrier (AG2R La Mondaile) in a breakaway. Unlike the previous four Stages, they weren't let off the leash at all however; with the trio being reeled in after just 40km, with Mitchelton - Scott & Daryl Impey eyeing up the bonus seconds that were available in the intermediate sprints. Impey ended up winning the sprint, with leader Patrick Bevin behind, closing the gap to just 6 seconds.
The peleton remained intact for the next intermediate sprint, and Bevin took advantage of his position to cancel out the second that Impey had stolen off him earlier, with the duo crossing 1st and 2nd respectively.
After the mid-race battle between the leaders was over, Ayden Toovey (UniSA - Australia) pushed off the front once again this time joined by Matthieu Ladagnous (Groupama - FDJ). They didn't manage to build any serious advantage over the peleton and were also reeled in with 34km remining in the Stage.
Crosswinds came into play in the latter part of the race, with many unable to keep up with BORA - Hansgrohe & Team Sky's pace. Patrick Bevin (CCC Team) crashed pretty seriously with just 9km to ride, and was in considerable pain as he hopped back onto his bike and attempted to chase back to the main group. The peleton agreed to slow down and allow Bevin to reattach himself.
With less than a kilometre to go, Elia Viviani (Deceuninck - Quick Step) looked in a commanding position behind teammate Fabio Sabatini's wheel. However, it was Caleb Ewan that made the first move, emerging from Peter Sagan's wheel to move past 3 of his rivals. A late charge from Philipsen was when the headbutting incident occurred, but the Australian was too strong for everyone and crossed the line in first place - only to be disqualified 25 minutes later, and Philipsen awarded the victory.
Official Results obtained from procyclingstats
Stage 5 Results;
GC Standings after Stage 5;
Jersey Holders for the last Stage;
Leader's Jersey - Patrick Bevin (CCC Team)
Point's Jersey - Peter Sagan (BORA - Hansgrohe) on behalf of Patrick Bevin (CCC Team)
KOM Jersey - Jason Lea (UniSA - Australia)
Young Rider's Jersey - Ryan Gibbons (Team Dimension Data)
Team - UAE - Team Emirates
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