On today's 187.5 kilometer long fifth stage of the Tour de France from Éparnay to Montagir in the northern part of France, the course offered the two sprinters Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre) and HTC-Columbia's Mark Cavendish another chance of winning a stage.

Today's breakaway containing Jurgen van de Walle (QuickStep), Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d'Epargne) and Julian El Fares (Cofidis) seized the opportunity to flash the colors and they hardly reached the point of hoping of making it last to finish line, as both Saxo Bank and HTC-Columbia kept the front group on a tight leash.

With 6.5 kilometers to go, the Spanish national champion, Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d'Epargne) broke clear of the front group in a last attempt of denying the sprinter the expected showdown. But the sprinter teams had the situation under control and in a rough battle on the asphalt, Mark Cavendish outsprinted everyone and took his first 2010 Tour de France stage win. Ciolek came in second and Boason Hagen came in third.

Andy finished in 37th place and is still standing in the overall clasification in place 6 with 1:09 minutes to Cancellara.