Warmth troubling peloton during longest stage
The sixth stage was with its 228 kilometres the longest stage of this 97th Tour de France. Not only the distance was troubling the riders, also the warm weather conditions made it hard for the riders. An escape group of three riders attacked immediately after the start. Perget, Lang and Perez Moreno took a maximum lead of 8 minutes, while the peloton was taking it easy with the first mountain stage of tomorrow in sight.
When the peloton got closer to the finish line in Gueugnon the sprinter`s teams acclerated. With 10 kilometres to go the escapees were caught. After a chaotic sprint preparation Mark Cavendish took his second stage win in a row outsprinting Farrar and Petacchi.
Tomorrow Jerome Pineau will start in his polka dot jersey for the first mountain stage. His compatriot Perget is right behind him with 12 points, only 1 point less then Pineau.
Result stage 6
1. Mark Cavendish (GB)
2. Tyler Farrar (VS)
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita)
29. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 0.03
35. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra)
43. Kevin de Weert (Bel)
132. Maarten Wynants (Bel)
143. Carlos Barredo (Esp)
172. Francesco Reda (Ita) 1.24
176. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 1.42
178. Dries Devenyns (Bel) 1.58
179. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel)
Overall classification after stage 6
1. Fabian Cancellara (Swi)
2. Geraint Thomas (GB) 0.20
3. Cadel Evans (Aus) 0.39
5. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 1.01
80. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 4.44
82. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 4.47
92. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 7.33
119. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 11.23
136. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 16.33
159. Francesco Reda (Ita) 21.59
152. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 22.26
174. Dries Devenyns (Bel) 29.35
Points classification after stage 6
1. Thor Hushovd (Noo) 118 points
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) 114
3. Robbie McEwen (Aus) 105
15. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 44
44. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 15
50. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 12
64. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 10
75. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 5
118. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 2
144. Francesco Reda (Ita) 2
Mountain classification after stage 6
1. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 13 points
2. Mathieu Perget (Fra) 12
3. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 8
6. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 6
15. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 2
Youth classification after stage 6
1. Geraint Thomas (GB)
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) 0.49
3. Roman Kreuziger (Tsj) 2.04
27. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 22.06
Team classification after stage 6
1. Team Saxo Bank
2. Garmin-Transitions 0.05
3. Team Sky 0.19
19. Team Quick Step 6.33