Stage 6
- One climb (1.7km, 6.7% grade), three sprints. 189 km from Lisieux to Vitre.
- There were many attacks today in the early stages of the race. A few gained a decent lead on the peloton, but they were brought back in due to an extremely high average speed. Over 45 km per hour for the first two hours.
- One escape included the yellow jersey wearer, Tom Boonen, but that one was also reeled back to the swift peloton.
- Many of the escapes this year look very similar. A group will go out during the first 3rd of the race, and stay out until the last 5-30 km of the stage, where the peloton catches them. The escapees are still benifiting. They are taking points at each of the sprints and climbs, and there is always the chance that the peloton will not start chasing soon enough, or a fast team doesn't take control of the peloton and the escapee's get away. That is the hope of each rider leading the stage.
- There was another great spirint my McEwen today, bringing home his 11th career tour stage win.
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The Top Seven were:
1. Robbie McEwen (AUS - DVL)
2. Daniele Bennati (ITA - LAM)
3. Tom Boonen (BEL - QSI)
4. Bernhard Eisel (AUT - FDJ)
5. Thor Hushovd (NOR - C.A)
6. Oscar Freire (ESP - RAB)
7. Erik Zabel (ITA - MRM)
You will notice some big names in that finish. A lot of great sprinters got to the front, but were still warded off by McEwen.
- Boonen is still in Yellow, although McEwen gained some time and not only trails by 12 seconds.
Jersey Holders:
Yellow: Boonen
Green: McEwen
Polka Dot: Pineau
Youth: Benoit Vaugrenard
Top teams:
1) Discovery Channel
2) Team CSC
3) T-Mobile