July 8, 2004 – A long day for a five-rider breakaway in the fifth stage: Sandy Casar (FDJeux.com), Stuart O’Grady (Cofidis), Thomas Voeckler (La Boulangère), the inevitable Jakob Piil (CSC) and Magnus Backstedt (Alessio) broke clear early and managed to establish a 17-minute gap at one point before the lethargic peloton began chasing. Although the gap was reduced it was eventually Cofidis’ Stuart O’Grady that took the win over CSC’ Jakob Piil.

Results:
1. Stuart O’Grady (Aus) Cofidis – Le Crédit Par Téléphone 5.05.58 (39.32 km/h)
2. Jakob Piil (Den) Team CSC
3. Sandy Casar (Fra) Fdjeux.com
4. Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Brioches La Boulangère
5. Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Alessio-Bianchi 0.03
6. Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto-Domo 12.33
7. Janek Tombak (Est) Cofidis РLe Cr̩dit Par T̩l̩phone
8. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole
9. René Haselbacher (Aut) Gerolsteiner
10. Jean-Patrick Nazon (Fra) AG2R Prévoyance

Overall:

1. Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Brioches La Boulangère 20.03.49
2. Stuart O’Grady (Aus) Cofidis – Le Crédit Par Téléphone 3.13
3. Sandy Casar (Fra) Fdjeux.com 4.06
4. Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Alessio-Bianchi 6.06
5. Jakob Piil (Den) Team CSC 6.58
6. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 9.35
7. George Hincapie (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 9.45
8. Floyd Landis (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 9.51
9. Jose Azevedo (Por) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 9.57
10. Jose Luis Rubiera (Spa) US Postal