In a bicycle race, the man who came two places in front of the last man finished one ahead of the man who came fifth. How many contestants were there?

“5”

If there were only 5 contestants, the man who finished two places in front of the last man would be in 3rd place. This would contradict the information that he finished one ahead of the man who came in 5th.

“7”

If there were 7 contestants, the placement of the man who came two places in front of the last man would still fit the scenario, but it would not account for the fact that there would be a contradiction with the placements needed for him to finish ahead of the 5th place contestant.

“4”

With only 4 contestants, the logic does not hold as the placements would not allow for a man to finish two places ahead of the last man while also being ahead of the man in 5th place, which does not exist in that scenario.