Pinot takes yellow in Swiss Tour

Lausanne - Frenchman Thibaut Pinot made a statement about his Tour de France credentials in winning Wednesday's fifth stage of the Tour of Switzerland to move into the race leader's yellow jersey.

Third at the Grand Boucle last year, Pinot soloed to victory at the end of the 237km stage from Unterterzen to Soelden in Austria.

Italian Domenico Pozzovivo finished second at 34s behind Pinot, with Simon Spilak of Slovenia third at 37s.

Britain's Geraint Thomas moved into second overall at 42s after finishing fifth on the stage. Spilak is third overall with Pozzovivo fourth.

Previous yellow jersey wearer Tom Dumoulin fought gamely to hold onto his lead but dropped to seventh overall after coming home 10th at more than a minute and a half down.

Pinot has proved to be in fine form recently having also won a stage at last month's Tour de Romandie where he finished fourth overall.

Thursday's stage six will be from Wil to Biel/Bienne and the cyclists will cover 237km.

Results from Wednesday's fifth stage:

1. Thibaut Pinot (FRA/FDJ) 6hr 22min 47sec, 2. Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA/ALM) at 34sec, 3. Simon Spilak (SLO/KAT) 37, 4. Miguel Lopez Moreno (COL/AST) 43, 5. Geraint Thomas (GBR/SKY) same time, 6. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN/AST) 1:15, 7. Jan Hirt (CCC) 1:18, 8. Sergio Henao (COL/SKY) 1:29, 9. Stefan Denifl (AUT/IAM) 1:31, 10. Tom Dumoulin (NED/TGA) 1:37

Overall standings:

1. Thibaut Pinot (FRA/FDJ) 17hr 42min 01sec, 2. Geraint Thomas (GBR/SKY) 47, 3. Simon Spilak (SLO/KAT) 50, 4. Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA/ALM) 55, 5. Miguel Lopez Moreno (COL/AST) 1:07, 6. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN/AST) 1:27, 7. Tom Dumoulin (NED/TGA) 1:32, 8. Steve Morabito (SUI/FDJ) 2:29, 9. Sebastien Reichenbach (SUI/IAM) 2:43, 10. Sergio Henao (COL/SKY) 2:46.