The fifth stage was a 206 km road stage from Swansea to Birmingham, the longest stage on the race. It was won by Stuart O'Grady, last year's winner, who broke away with the Dane Jacob Rasmussen. Ciaran Power finished in the peleton in seventh position but still slipped down one overall. Michael McNena found his legs again, and managed to stay in the peleton and is no longer in last position overall, while Fitzgerald lost another 10 minutes on Benoit Joachim, who still leads.
1. | Stuart O'Grady | Credit Agricole | 5h42'35" |
2. | Jacob Rasmussen | Acceptcard | same |
7. | Ciaran Power | Ireland | @ 05'23" |
38. | Michael McNena | Ireland | same |
81. | Michael Fitzgerald | Ireland | @ 15'02" |
Overall G.C. | |||
1. | Benoit Joachim | US Postal | 21h02'43" |
2. | Marc Wauters | Rabobank | @ 02" |
23. | Ciaran Power | Ireland | @ 05'10" |
77. | Michael Fitzgerald | Ireland | @ 50'57" |
86. | Michael McNena | Ireland | @ 1h08'15" |