A sand storm compelled the organizers of the race to modify the stage start and have the convoy travel by car to a new start on the hilly circuit above the Ministry of Housing, where the stage finish was planned. The circuit, three times up and over the Bousher Al-Amerat climb, was then a subject of discussion, as the riders didn’t feel safe. 

Many riders, indeed, had flatted in the neutralised downhill of the climb when their rims overheated. Trek Factory Racing, racing carbon Bontrager rims, were not affected by flat tires, but joined the protesting peloton. Former race leader and stage two winner Fabian Cancellara and team leaders Vincenzo Nibali, Tom Boonen and Joaquin Rodriguez entered talks with the organizer to discuss the situation. The outcome of that exchange of views was an agreement of the cancellation of stage five.

“It was just not safe enough," Cancellara said. "Riders from other teams were puncturing very early on in the downhill.

"Their tubulars were rolling off the rims and they showed this to the commissaires. The riders were unanimous and we expressed our point of view. In the end, it’s good that the organizers agreed to cancel the stage. It shows courage on their part and it is the right decision.”

“At the start, the visibility was lower than 50 meters, which is not safe at all, so it was wise to change the course," sports director Dirk Demol said. "Once the race was on the circuit, the temperature was around 45 degrees Celsius. It’s a good thing the organizers listened to the riders on this occasion. For everyone's safety, it was the right decision. Tomorrow is another day and the race will be on!"