Tadej Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates) was the best overall Tour de France contender as he raced aggressively on the cobbles of stage 5, Paris-Roubaix, as he did in the opening time trial in Copenhagen.

Pogachar, a two-time Tour winner, was unable to catch the breakaway when he attacked with Jasper Stuyven or make up enough time to take the yellow jersey from Wout Van Aert and the chase group, but was one of the few overall He was one of the few overall contenders to be satisfied with a day on the cobbles.

"It was a really good day. I felt good in the pavé and nothing was unlucky," Pogachar said after the stage.

"Being one of the favorites to win the time trial and the Roubaix stage gives me confidence. I can't wait to get to the mountains."

Pogachar admitted that despite looking fresh and happy, it was not an easy day.

"It was a really hard day. The first half was pretty stressful and the second half was really tough."

"There was a lot of pressure on the pedals throughout the day and the cobblestones were dusty and dangerous. I like cobblestones, but at the same time when they're not dry, it's a whole different experience. The cobblestones I really like are on the Champs-Elysées."

Pogachar finished 51 seconds behind stage winner Simon Clark (Israel-Premier Tech), but 13 seconds behind the chasing pack and just as important as his rival Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo Visma), also a competitor Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo Visma), the Ineos Grenadiers trio of Geraint Thomas, Dani Martinez and Adam Yates, Alexandre Vlasov (Bota Hansgrohe), Nairo Quintana (Alcare Sumsic), Enric Mas (Movistar) and David Gaudou (Gulpama FDJ) are also important.

Primoš Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) dislocated his shoulder in a crash and lost 2:08 to the same Slovenian, Ben O'Connor (AG2R Citroen) lost 3:21, and Jack Hague (Bahrain Victorious) lost all.

Pogachar was isolated up front after Brandon McNulty crashed, but he did not seem bothered. He moved over to Stuyven twice in the cobblestone sector and once more on the road.

"We were strong enough to stay in the middle of the action, but it wasn't easy at all. We were strong and in the end we were able to keep up with Jasper Stuyven," Pogachar explained.

"There were some guys in front of me, but I tried to race smart. I'm happy after today because I had a good run. In the end it was a really good day for me and the team."