The 2026 Tour de France continues with stage five, featuring a predominantly downhill route for the first 20km, followed by a flat stretch from Lannemezan to Pau, punctuated by a category three incline at the Côte de Baleix within the final 30km.

Pau holds a significant place in Tour history, being the third most visited city after Paris and Bordeaux. With 77 visits and 64 stage finishes, it boasts a dedicated museum celebrating the race's legacy.

Among the favorites for today's stage is Jasper Philipsen from Alpecin–Premier Tech, who previously triumphed in Pau. He faces competition from yesterday's victor, Mads Petersen of Lidl-Trek, along with Tim Merlier (Soudal–Quick-Step), Olav Kooij (Decathlon-CMA CGM), Birniam Girmay (NSN), and potentially Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Premier Tech).

Torstein Træen from Uno-X Pro leads the general classification and aspires to retain the yellow jersey. His performance may coincide with a significant moment for Norway, as they face England in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.

In response to the ongoing heatwave, the UCI and ASO have implemented emergency measures to safeguard the riders. Although conditions may not reach the extreme 40°C+ experienced in stage four, teams remain cautious about hydration, with riders likely to utilize ice packs for relief.

As the stage approaches, fans are encouraged to share their predictions and thoughts on this exciting race.