Peter Sagan burst into life on the Tour de France when he claimed the fifth stage at the end of a 175.5-km bumpy ride from St Die des Vosges on Wednesday. 

The three-time world champion beat Belgian Wout van Aert and Italian Matteo Trentin in a sprint finish to strengthen his grip on the points classification as he looks to secure a record-breaking seventh green jersey. 

“This victory is well deserved for the whole team. They worked very hard all day to control the stage. I want to thank all my teammates tonight,” said the Bora-Hansgrohe rider, who had a below-average Spring classics season. 

“I started my sprint in the right moment. Now I have to keep going.”  

Sagan, who now has 12 Tour stage victories to his name, has 144 points in the points classification with Australian Michael Matthews in second place on 97. 

France’s Julian Alaphilippe retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey. 

Defending champion Geraint Thomas is seventh overall, 45 seconds behind Alaphilippe.  

Thursday’s sixth stage will see a 160.5-kilometer ride from Mulhouse end at the top of La Planche des Belles Filles, with the final climb being a 7-kilometer effort at an average gradient of 8.7 percent. 

"My legs are killing me. Tomorrow is going to be a huge test, for me and everyone," said Alaphilippe.  

(With input from AFP, Reuters)