Peter Sagan sprinted to his second stage victory of the 2018 Tour de France in a captivating finish on Wednesday.

The three-time world champion timed his late surge up the hill to perfection to win the 127-mile fifth stage from Lorient to Quimperat.

Bora-Hansgrohe rider Sagan, eyeing a sixth green jersey, won the opening stage on Saturday and produced another blistering burst to deny Sonny Colbrelli after making his move with 200 meters to go.

Philippe Gilbert attacked with about 44 miles to go on the first hilly day of the race, but he went too early and could not prevent Sagan from coming through to join Fernando Gaviria as a double stage winner early in this year's Tour.

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) finished fourth ahead of Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step) and Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates).

BMC Racing's Greg Van Avermaet retained the yellow jersey after finishing seventh, leading Tejay van Garderen by two seconds and the general classification favorites finished in the same time.

Team Sky crossed the line safely in the peloton, defending champion Chris Froome taking 14th just behind Geraint Thomas.

Sylvain Chavanel had come away from a seven-man breakaway, but was caught with around 37 miles to go and it was no surprise that it was Sagan who came out of the pack in a frantic finale to claim yet another win.

Sagan finished second behind Gaviria on Stage 4, but proved to be the sprint king again a day later.

Mark Cavendish and Marcel Kittel were a long way out of contention, but Sagan was perfectly placed after Toms Skujins and Lilian Calmejane — the last of the breakaway riders — were reeled in.

Sagan praised his teammates and felt fortune was on his side.

"I was a little lucky, because Colbrelli was coming close again," the Slovakian said. "My teammates did a good job from the middle of the race and they pulled me into a good position."

STAGE 5 RESULTS

1. Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) 4:48:06
2. Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida)
3. Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors)
4. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar)
5. Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors))

CLASSIFICATION STANDINGS

General Classification

1. Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) 18:22:00
2. Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing) +00:02
3. Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors) +00:03

Points

1. Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) 180
2. Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) 147
3. Alexander Kristoff (Team Emirates) 78

UP NEXT

A 112-miile route from Brest to Mur-de-Bretagne, including what will be a steep climb in the final mile. Sagan will fancy his chances of completing a hat trick of stage wins.