Top Banana: Tour de France stage 5 – Tom Skujiņš

Top Banana: Tour de France stage 5 – Tom Skujiņš

You say potato, Tom Skujiņš says potatoes. For overcoming gastronomic adversity, getting himself out of the basement and giving it a go, Top Banana. The real Tour de France starts today

Racing Top Banana Top Banana 2019 Tour de France Tour de France 2019

“when the stomach gives out, the legs dont get any powa. Need to refuel with some potatoes.” (sic)


So Tweeted Tom Skujiņš on Sunday after enduring a torrid start to the 2019 Tour de France. Although the latter wisdom is rather specific to the Latvian, the first statement is undeniable and universal, even if it is unlikely to feature in a training manual or inspirational poster any time soon.


Many of us will know the unpleasant regret of an overly-optimistic “it’ll be alright” before heading out on a ride with a dodgy stomach, but Skujiņš didn’t let tummy troubles get him down. No, he rather revelled in his temporary position as the lanterne rouge – his second stint at the top/bottom of a Tour classification after the five days he spent in the polka dot jersey last year.


The tubers seemingly helped though and he didn’t hold that position for long. The Trek Segafredo rider provided the only real entertainment on Stage 5 before the final kilometre, where Peter Sagan won convincingly in the sprint to tighten his perennially firm grip on the green jersey.


The hills on the parcours had given some hope that the day might bring some surprises, but none of Skujiņš’ companions in the most perfunctory of breakaways, or the chasing peloton seemed prepared to move out of the ‘safety first’ zone.


For providing a modicum of animation to an otherwise staid stage, Tom Skujiņš is our Top Banana today. Or should that be Top Potato?


The Rouleur Top Banana goes to an unsung hero of each stage of the Tour de France – not the winner, not the yellow jersey – but a rider whose efforts deserve recognition

 

The post Top Banana: Tour de France stage 5 – Tom Skujiņš appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.

Racing Top Banana Top Banana 2019 Tour de France Tour de France 2019

READ MORE

Mark Donovan

From WorldTour rejection to Giro d'Italia stage hunting: Mark Donovan is back at cycling's top table

The Q36.5 has had a near-three-year hiatus from cycling's Grand Tours, but now riding better than ever he's once again looking to be in the...

Read more
Mads Pedersen

Mads Pedersen is at the peak of his powers

A second stage win and a return to the maglia rosa is a fitting reward for a rider in some of his best ever form

Read more
Giro d'Italia 2025 stage four preview: A fast finish in Lecce

Giro d'Italia 2025 stage four preview: A fast finish in Lecce

A chance for the pure sprinters to take a stage win as the Giro resumes in Italy's heel

Read more
The Dilemma: Should Primož Roglič give away the Giro d'Italia pink jersey?

The Dilemma: Should Primož Roglič give away the Giro d'Italia pink jersey?

The Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe rider will next be able to take time on his rivals during stage seven's mountain-top finish and stage nine's gravel. Does he...

Read more
La Reina: Demi Vollering is exactly where she belongs

La Reina: Demi Vollering is exactly where she belongs

The Dutchwoman’s victory in La Vuelta España Femenina is a product of exemplary teamwork from FDJ-Suez

Read more
Giro d'Italia 2025 stage three preview: A tough Albanian farewell

Giro d'Italia 2025 stage three preview: A tough Albanian farewell

A stage full of climbing will keep the GC contenders on their toes, but it could be a day for an escape group to grab...

Read more

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE