Swiss rider Erich Maechler took the yellow jersey and became the new leader after Stage 3…..and kept the lead for several stages….when the mass-start stages were dominated by break-aways of cyclists who were not considered relevant for the final victory….as sixth-placed Charly Mottet was the only cyclist in the top 15 who had real chances of finishing high.
Stage 4 was a 79 km (49 miles) plain stage from Stuttgart, West Germany to Pforzheim, West Germany….. which was won by BEL Herman Frison…..which was followed by a 112 km (69 mile) Stage 5 plain stage trek from Pforzheim into France for the 1st time since the Tour began…..while on its way to Strasbourg, as BEL Marc Sergent won this Stage….and SWI Erich Maechler continued to hold on the the lead and yellow jersey.
