Dutch Riders Keep Their Distance as Lubberding Leads Tour de France

Jelle Nijdam of the Netherlands, cycling alone ahead of the pack in the final miles, finished eight seconds ahead of Italian Massimo Ghirotto Thursday to win the fifth stage of the Tour de France.

Another Dutchman, Henk Lubberding, 34, gained the overall lead and the yellow leader’s jersey that goes along with it. But compatriots Eric Breukink and Peter Winnen had the same total time as Lubberding--14 hours 44 minutes 2 seconds--through the first five stages.

Ron Kiefel of Boulder, Colo., was 38th overall in 14:45.41, and Andrew Hampsten, also of Boulder, was 93rd in 14:46.41.

Nijdam, 24, who rides for the Superconfex team, completed the 88.5-mile run from Neufchatel-en-Bray to Lievin, over the rolling hills of northern France, in 3:14.14, continuing the fast pace that has characterized this Tour de France so far.

Ghirotto held off Ireland’s Sean Kelly for second place by five seconds.

Today’s sixth stage, a 31-mile individual time trial from Lievin to Wasquehal, is considered a key early stage in the 21-day Tour. The top finishers will take a huge jump in the overall standings.