Tearful Australian Clarke wins at Le Tour

Australian cycling veteran Simon Clarke has landed the biggest victory of his career, left in flood of tears of joy after taking the fifth stage of the Tour de France.

The 35-year-old Israel Premier Tech rider, previously a two-time stage winner at the Vuelta a Espana, earned an even bigger grand tour prize as he won a sprint for the line from the day’s breakaway on Wednesday.

His career-defining triumph came after the 157km ride from Lille to Wallers-Arenberg, a tough stage featuring more than 19km of cobbled sectors.

Belgian Wout van Aert retained the overall lead while two-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar gained time over all his rivals.

Primoz Roglic, one of the pre-race favourites, had a calamitous day, losing more than two minutes on fellow Slovenian Pogacar

Clarke, with his first win in over two years, beat Taco van der Hoorn, of the Netherlands, to the line, with Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen third.