Sierra (C) will be looking for his third podium in the race. Photo taken from ACN

Havana, September 12 (RHC)-- Cuban cyclist Arlenis Sierra will start Sunday's fifth stage of the Tour de l'Ardèche as points leader, a position she has held since the beginning of this 19th edition, disputed among elite cyclists from 20 multinational teams in the south of France.

Despite the fact that she did not score any points on Saturday, the Cuban rider has a total of 30 points, ahead of American Leah Thomas (25) and British Elizabeth Deignan (22).

The 28 year-old will be looking for her third podium in the race, or at least to stay in the lead, in a stretch of 113.5 kilometers in St-Jean-en-Royans, with three big mountain prizes and steep slopes of ascent and descent, with a total elevation gain of 2,462 meters.

Sierra was champion in her previous race, the Giro della Toscana, with her second consecutive title in this three-day classic in Italy.

The Tour de l'Ardèche will culminate on September 14, just five days before the World Road Cycling Championships, scheduled for September 19-26 in Belgium.