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.
16:13 - Results Of Sprint In Dommartin-les-ToulThe points for the third sprint of the stage were won by:
1. Stephane Auge (COF) 6pts/6"
2. Mauro Gerosa (LIQ) 4pts/4"
3. Christophe Mengin (FDJ) 2pts/2"
16:26 - Hushovd PuncturesThe rider in second place in the points classification at the start of the stage, Thor Hushovd has punctured. He has a new wheel and is chasing the peloton.
16:25 - Final Climb 13.5km From Finish
The Cote de Maron is a 3.2km ascent with an average gradient of 5.2 per cent. The summit of this cat-4 rise is 13.5km before the finish of the sixth stage.
Currently both Karsten Kroon and Stephane Auge have seven points in the climbing classification. We can expect to see these two try to stay clear of the peloton until the climb. The have about 7km to go but the peloton is now just 1’40" behind their group of five.
16:32 - Leaders On Final ClimbGerosa, Mengin, Auge, Kirsipuu and Kroon are on the Cote de Maron with a lead of 1’05" on the peloton.
16:31 - Van Bon Punctures
Leon van Bon is the latest rider to get a flat tyre.
16:31 - Even Turns Of Pace In Lead Group
The five escapees continue to swap off with even turns. Each riders is in the wind for about 30-40 seconds before swinging off. This cooperation is likely to stop soon as they start to consider the final climb...
16:28 - Chavanel Punctures
Sylvain Chavanel has puncture his front tyre. He has received a new wheels and is back racing again after a quick stop.
16:27 - Hushovd Rejoins Peloton
Afer his puncture, Hushovd has rejoined the peloton which is now just 20km from the finish and 1’30" behind the escapees.
16:37 - Mengin Claims Three PointsChristophe Mengin has crested the Cote de Maron on his own. He has added three points to his tally in the climbing classification. The peloton is 40" behind.
16:36 - Auge And Kroon Caught By Peloton
Kroon and Auge have been swallowed up by the peloton. There are now just three riders ahead of the pack. Mengin leads, then Kirsipuu and Gerosa... then the peloton.
16:36 - Peloton Thinning Out
The gradient of the final climb is causing numerous riders to drop off the back of the peloton. Mengin continues to set a good tempo at the front of the stage.
16:35 - Peloton 50" Behind
Mengin is going to claim first place points at the top of the Cote de Maron but the peloton is closing in quickly on the remnants of the escape group. The latest time check had the peloton at 50".
16:34 - Mengin Leads On His Own
Near the top of the final climb, Mengin has dropped the other riders in the lead group. Kirsipuu was the last to lose contact with the FDJ rider who lives in this region.
16:33 - Kirsipuu Attacks
There are signs of aggression at the front. Kirsipuu has attacked. He has been matched by Gerosa and Mengin.
16:38 - Results Of Final ClimbThe points for the cat-four Cote de Maron were won by:
1. Christophe Mengin (FDJ) 3pts
2. Mauro Gerosa (LIQ) 2pts
3. Jaan Kirsipuu (C.A) 1pt
16:40 - Kirsipuu And Gerosa CaughtMengin is on his own at the front of the stage. He is less than 10km from the finish. Kirsipuu and Gerosa have just been caught by the peloton.
16:39 - Kroon To Wear Polka-Dot Jersey In Stage Seven
Karsten Kroon has seven points in the climbing classification. It’s the same tally as Stephane Auge but because the Rabobank rider won two of today’s four climbs he will wear the polka-dot jersey in stage seven.
16:42 - Liquigas Rider Attacks PelotonDario Cioni has attacked the peloton. He is in pursuit of Mengin who is 20" ahead.
16:46 - 5km To GoMengin is 5km from the finish. His advantage on the peloton is 23".
16:45 - Mengin Leads By 20"
The stage leader will benefit from local knowledge and the fact that he can negotiate the final turns without distraction. Mengin leads the peloton by 20". Cioni is still ahead of the pack but it appears only a matter of moments before he’s swallowed up by the fast-chasing pack.
16:47 - Mengin’s Lead: 15"Mengin refuses to succumb to the peloton. With 4km to go he has a lead of 15" on the bunch that is now being led by a Davitamon-Lotto rider.
16:47 - Cioni Caught By Peloton
Cioni has been swallowed up by the peloton which is being led by a Phonak rider.
2.6 km to go and a 13" lead.. Can he do it, can he do it?
Big crash!
1.6 km and 8"... Looking like no.
16:50 - Mengin About To Be CaughtVinokourov has Mengin in his sights. The Kazakh champion is about to catch the stage leader.
16:49 - Mengin Leads By 10"
With 2km to go, Mengin has a lead of 10" on the peloton. Vinokourov has launched an attack off the front of the main pack.
In the final km???
16:52 - Fassa Bortolo Win The StageLorenzo Bernucci has won the stage. He was the Fassa Bortolo rider who chased down Vinokourov’s counter attack...
16:51 - Mengin Crashes!
Mengin has crashed on one of the final turns. There is carnage on the corner with a lot of riders also hitting the tarmac - McEwen included.
Vino is in in 2nd place - he's only 1:21 behind Lance... no word or exactly where the crash was yet...
"Carnage At The End Of Stage Six Lorenzo Bernucci only came to the front of the stage in the final 300m. He has never been at the head of the peloton until he was about to win his first stage of the Tour de France. He relegated Vinokourov to second place. A crash in the closing kilometers has split the peloton into a hundred pieces. Riders are limping in in dribs and drabs while Bernucci celebrates his coup."
Semper Fi
From the time stamp, there was only a minute between the crash and the stage win, so it could have been in the final km. If so, Lance won't lose any time to Vino.
Looks like Lance lost 13 seconds to Vinokourov because of the crash.
Semper Fi
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