Italian Fabio Aru claimed the first mountain stage of this year’s Tour de France in a day dominated by the ongoing row over the disqualification of world road race champion Peter Sagan.

Aru broke away two kilometres from the end of the 161km fifth stage, which culminated in an 8.5% climb to La Place des Belles Filles. Britain’s Chris Froome finished third and took the yellow jersey from his Sky team-mate Geraint Thomas.

It was an uneventful day for the Dutch riders, with the exception of Dylan van Baarle who joined an early breakaway with a group of experienced competitors including Thomas Voeckler and Philippe Gilbert.

Meanwhile, British sprinter Mark Cavendish defended himself against accusations that he was responsible for the crash that put him out of the race and led to Sagan’s disqualification. Sagan was judged to have elbowed Cavendish as he tried to squeeze by on the railings at the end of Monday’s stage.

Sagan insisted he was blameless in a ‘crazy sprint’ and Cavendish had tried to pass through a gap that was too tight. ‘I’ve got children, I know exactly what gaps I can get through,’ Cavendish said. He also claimed Sagan had apologised to him for the incident.