Posted on 07/06/2005 9:08:25 PM PDT by nutmeg
Stage 6 - Thursday, July 7: Troyes - Nancy, 199 km
This is a stage perfectly suited to a long breakaway - only problem is, most of the traditional breakaway protagonists are missing, which may land a surprise stage winner ont the podium. The four Cat 4 climbs and three intermediate sprints, stage 6 will have something for most riders, and if a break does get away, it'll have to move quickly as the strength of those sprinters taking part in this year's Tour stands out - Boonen's performance in this year's Classics shows he can motor all day, and get into the right move at the right time. Look out for the big Belgian to use guile and a strong sprint to post another Tour stage victory, but the number climbs may prove difficult for him and allow a surprise packet such as Liberty Seguros' Koldo Gil to win the stage.
14:50 - Results Of 2nd ClimbThe points at the summit of the Cote de Brouthieres (at 104km) were won by:
1. Karsten Kroon (NED - RAB) 3pts
2. Stephane Auge (FRA - COF) 2pts
3. Mauro Gerosa (ITA - LIQ) 1pt14:49 - Auge Attacks On 2nd Climb
The Cofidis rider in the lead group has attacked on the 2nd climb of the stage. He wanted the points at the summit of the Cote de Brouthieres but could not hold off Karsten Kroon of the Rabobank team.
14:48 - Lead Drops To 7’30"
The peloton is at the 97km mark and is 7’30" behind the five escapees.
Yup, Lance came in 2nd in the individual time trial in Stage 1, and Discovery Channel came in 1st in the team trial in Stage 4 (unfortunately, thanks to a crash by then-leader Zabriskie). The other three stages have seen the peloton cross the finish line as a group, with no successful breakaways.
Really like the updates, but what does 12" mean to you? Here in the states it means 12 inches which can hardly be considered a lead at all.
Minutes (') and seconds (") -- pretty standard designations for time (or map coordinates).
Never mind, I think I got it. " equals seconds. Is that right?
15:06 - Kirsipuu PuncturesOne of the riders in the lead group has punctured. Jaan Kirsipuu is waiting on the side of the road for a new wheel.
14:59 - Lead Down To 6’45"
At the 103.5km mark, the peloton is 6’45" behind the five escapees. The Davitamon-Lotto and Quickstep teams continue to cooperate at the head of the pack.
Up ahead Kroon, Kirsipuu, Gerosa, Auge and Mengin are swapping even turns although there have been signs of aggression, namely at the top of the climbs. Kroon is doing what he can to protect his team-mate’s lead in the race for the polka-dot jersey but Auge appears determined to wrestle the lead from the Rabobank rider today.
15:09 - Lead Down To 6’05"The peloton is at the 114km mark and continues to be led by the Quickstep and Davitamon teams. The deficit of the main group to the five escapees has dropped to 6’05".
15:08 - Kirsipuu Rejoins Lead Group
After his puncture, Kirsipuu has rejoined Mengin, Gerosa, Kroon and Auge at the front of the stage.
Sorry... meant to get a "yup" on the previous.
15:13 - Lead Under Six MinutesThe five escapees are losing time quickly now. The peloton is closing in fast thanks to the efforts of Quickstep and Davitamon. The latest time check has Mengin, Gerosa, Kirsipuu, Kroon and Auge 5’50" ahead of the bunch.
15:12 - Corioni Abandons
The peloton is down to 187 riders. The second retirement of the 2005 Tour is Claudio Corioni of the Fassa Bortolo team.
15:33 - Lead 4’45"With the peloton at the 134km mark, it is 4’45" behind the five escapees.
15:31 - Plenty Of Punctures Today
Dario Cioni (LIQ) is the latest rider to puncture. The wet conditions have caused plenty of flat tyres today, including one for Jaan Kirsipuu - one of the riders in today’s escape group.
I just hate when that sharp water punctures one of my tyres... That's why I refuse to ride when there's even a hint of a possibility of rain.
15:39 - Results Of Third ClimbThe points for the Cote de Montigny were won by:
1. Karsten Kroon (RAB) 3pts
2. Stephane Auge (COF) 2pts
3. Christophe Mengin (FDJ) 1pt15:35 - Horner And Canada Puncture
Two riders from Saunier Duval have puncture in the last kilometer. Both Chris Horner and David Canada have been given new wheels from the team car and are now chasing the peloton.
15:41 - Kroon And Auge Equal At Top Of Climbing ClassificationTwo of the riders in today’s escape group - Karsten Kroon and Stephane Auge - both have seven points in the climbing classification. There is one climb yet to come but one thing seems certain, there will be a new rider in the polka-dot jersey for stage seven.
Kroon and Auge both have seven points while Dekker, who led the classification at the start of the stage, has six.
15:43 - Results Of Second Intermediate SprintThe leading quintet have passed the site of the second intermediate sprint. The points in Chalaines (at 144.5km) were won by:
1. Mauro Gerosa (LIQ) 6pts/6"
2. Jaan Kirsipuu (C.A) 4pts/4"
3. Stephane Auge (COF) 2pts/2"
Why they even care about the climbing jersey before the mountain stages begin is beyond me. Tho' I guess it is kind of cool that a sprinter has been wearing it for a few days now...
Looks like Christophe Mengin wants to ride thru his hometown leading the race. Bet they let him.
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