Tour du Faso 2026: riders face 131km route to Pa in fifth stage

The 37th Tour du Faso resumes on Tuesday with a 131.32km fifth stage from Bobo-Dioulasso to Pa in the Guiriko region.

The riders return to competition after the Bobo-Dioulasso criterium, with the stage beginning at the LONAB headquarters. The official start will take place at Sy Equipement.

The finish is set on the RN1, close to the Ritila restaurant, after a 700-metre straight run-in.

Three intermediate sprints will provide opportunities for riders to gain points and make their mark during the stage. The first is scheduled at 26.86km, followed by a second at 66.23km on the outskirts of Koumbia. The final sprint comes at 101.23km.

The stage carries significance for all the riders defending leaders’ jerseys, with positions at stake in the general classification, points classification, intermediate-sprints standings and best young rider competition.

Burkina Faso’s riders will also be seeking to protect the country’s colours while improving their positions in the secondary classifications. These include the leading Burkinabe rider, best young rider, best team-mate and most combative rider categories.

The route has been described as hilly, creating the possibility of attacks from riders looking to break away from the main group.

Those competing will also need to manage their energy carefully, with a long transfer to Ouagadougou planned after the finish.