Tour de France – Stage 6

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It all came right for André Greipel in the mad scramble to the line for stage 6 of the Tour de France after a wet day in France

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Tour de France – Stage 6

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Germany’s André Greipel claimed stage 6 in Reims – the town where the kings of France were crowned – after a frantic finale where crosswinds and no organisation of the sprint trains saw a mad scramble to the finish line. After Michael Kwiatkowski went for a long one, chased down by one of Alexander Kristoff’s leadout men, the sprint got decidedly dodgy as the Polish rider in the white jersey was caught and the contenders for the stage were unleased all on different routes down the to the finish.

The one who took the fastest and the best timed was Greipel who found he had no challenge from his German compatriot Marcel Kittel whose team went awol in the chaos in the last two kilometres. Vincenzo Nibali retained the lead on another rain soaked day with echelons on the roads chosen to remember World War I in the presence of the French president François Hollande.

Four riders in the lead
Stage 6 was dedicated to the memory of the soldiers from World War I one hundred years after the conflict started, visiting former battle fields including the “Chemin des Dames” where the president of the French Republic François Hollande paid his yearly visit to the Tour de France.

Tom Leezer (Belkin), Luis Maté (Cofidis), Jérôme Pineau (IAM) and Arnaud Gérard (Bretagne-Séché Environnement) attacked from the gun and secured a maximum time gap of 4.15 at km 21. The Giant-Shimano team led by “breakaway killer” Ji Cheng stabilized the deficit of the peloton at around three minutes for most of the race.

A crash occurred with 79km to go where French champion Arnaud Démare (FDJ), who was racing on home soil in Picardy, went down but the fall had worse consequences for Xavier Zandio (Sky). His team lost one more rider the day after Chris Froome called it a quits. Together with Zandio, Egor Silin (Katusha) abandoned the Tour de France.

Another crash split the bunch when echelons were formed in the crosswinds at the “Chemin des Dames” with 65km to go when Omega Pharma-Quick Step put the hammer down. One of the riders involved, Jesus Hernandez (Tinkoff), also withdrew from the race, leaving Alberto Contador without his closest and most faithful team-mate.

Tom Leezer (Belkin), Luis Maté (Cofidis), Jérôme Pineau (IAM) and Arnaud Gérard (Bretagne-Séché Environnement) got reined in one by one within 20 km to go, Maté being the last one after 182km of racing off the front of the peloton. Omega Pharma-Quick Step then rode very hard in the last ten kilometers, splitting the race into three groups, prior to an attack by their leader Michal Kwiatkowski just before the flamme rouge.

The Polish champion was reeled in with 300 metres to go when André Greipel launched his sprint from afar. The German champion resisted to Alexander Kristoff’s rush to the line to claimed his sixth victory at the Tour de France.

REACTIONS
André Greipel – “That was hard! Especially in the last thirty kilometers with the side wind, it was a tough race. Maybe I didn’t have a proper lead out train but we rode like crazy at the last roundabout. Fortunately we stayed together and I found a good wheel in following Mark Renshaw.”

“I went full gas with 350 metres to go. It was pretty early but I thought whatever happens is fine as long as I give it everything. I felt a lot of pressure after the first few stages but finally we have a victory. It’s a good answer from Lotto-Belisol to the critics. My confidence was always there. We stayed calm and did a really good work. My team-mates and myself, we deserve this win.”

Peter Sagan – “It was bad to crash again today but I have nothing broken, so I’m fine. A guy crashed in front of me and another crashed behind, he’s the one who took me down. But after two crashes, I’m still here while other riders have had to go home. I just hope that my bad luck is gone”.

“Today I’ve been boxed in and I came fifth without even sprinting, so it’s all good for the Ggreen jersey. Maybe tomorrow is my chance for a stage win finally, but firstly I have to recover from my crash.”

Vincenzo Nibali Race leader “It wasn’t a quiet stage at all. On paper it should have been like that but nervousness was always there in the peloton because of the wind. In the finale in particular, we could feel it but I was well covered by my team”.

“This morning I was happy to see myself on the front page of L’Equipe and other newspapers. It showed that we achieved something big yesterday but now, I still want to take it day by day and keep my feet on the ground. I’m asked to win again tomorrow as there’s a hill in the finishing town but I’ll have to take into account all the elements of the race.”

Above: Xabier Zandio of Spain and Team Sky lies on the ground after being involved in a crash on the descent of the Cote de Coucy-le-Chteau-Auffrique which forced him to abandon the race during stage six of the 2014 Le Tour de France from Arras to Reims on July 10, 2014 in Coucy, France.

Classifications
Yellow: Vincenzo Nibali
Green: Peter Sagan
KoM: Cyril Lemoine
Young Rider U25: Peter Sagan
Team: Astana
Combativity: Luis Angel Mate

STAGE 6
1 Greipel André Lotto-Belisol 04h 11′ 39
2 Kristoff Alexander Team Katusha
3 Dumoulin Samuel Ag2r La Mondiale
4 Renshaw Mark Omega Pharma-Quick Step
5 Sagan Peter Cannondale
6 Feillu Romain Bretagne – Seche Environnement
7 Veelers Tom Team Giant-Shimano
8 Coquard Bryan Team Europcar
9 Vanmarcke Sep Belkin Pro Cycling
10 Chavanel Sylvain Iam Cycling
11 Oss Daniel Bmc Racing Team
12 Lemoine Cyril Cofidis, Solutions Credits
13 Van Avermaet Greg Bmc Racing Team
14 Cancellara Fabian Trek Factory Racing
15 Fuglsang Jakob Astana Pro Team
16 Dumoulin Tom Team Giant-Shimano
17 Talansky Andrew Garmin – Sharp
18 Nibali Vincenzo Astana Pro Team
19 Bauer Jack Garmin – Sharp
20 Contador Alberto Tinkoff-Saxo
21 Péraud Jean-Christophe Ag2r La Mondiale
22 Costa Rui Alberto Lampre – Merida
23 Reza Kévin Team Europcar
24 Mollema Bauke Belkin Pro Cycling
25 Hayman Mathew Orica Greenedge
26 Van Garderen Tejay Bmc Racing Team
27 Velits Peter Bmc Racing Team
28 Roelandts Jurgen Lotto-Belisol
29 Konig Leopold Team Netapp-Endura
30 Rojas Gil José Joaquin Movistar Team
31 Gallopin Tony Lotto-Belisol
32 Smukulis Gatis Team Katusha
33 Rast Gregory Trek Factory Racing
34 Rogers Michael Tinkoff-Saxo
35 Voss Paul Team Netapp-Endura
36 Morkov Michael Tinkoff-Saxo
37 Ten Dam Laurens Belkin Pro Cycling
38 Kwiatkowski Michal Omega Pharma-Quick Step
39 Schleck Frank Trek Factory Racing
40 Horner Christopher Lampre – Merida
41 Schär Michael Bmc Racing Team
42 Frank Mathias Iam Cycling
43 Haussler Heinrich Iam Cycling
44 Porte Richie Team Sky
45 Zubeldia Agirre Haimar Trek Factory Racing
46 Machado Tiago Team Netapp-Endura
47 Wynants Maarten Belkin Pro Cycling
48 Trofimov Yury Team Katusha
49 Marino Jean Marc Cannondale
50 Valverde Belmonte Alejandro Movistar Team
51 Dempster Zakkari Team Netapp-Endura
52 Van Den Broeck Jurgen Lotto-Belisol
53 Feillu Brice Bretagne – Seche Environnement
54 Bardet Romain Ag2r La Mondiale
55 Vanotti Alessandro Astana Pro Team
56 Thomas Geraint Team Sky
57 De Kort Koen Team Giant-Shimano
58 Grivko Andriy Astana Pro Team
59 Bakelants Jan Omega Pharma-Quick Step
60 Terpstra Niki Omega Pharma-Quick Step
61 Albasini Michael Orica Greenedge
62 Viviani Elia Cannondale
63 Minard Sébastien Ag2r La Mondiale
64 Bak Lars Lotto-Belisol
65 Porsev Alexander Team Katusha
66 Vachon Florian Bretagne – Seche Environnement
67 Kiryienka Vasili Team Sky
68 Koren Kristijan Cannondale
69 Scarponi Michele Astana Pro Team
70 Sieberg Marcel Lotto-Belisol @ 00′ 15
71 Eisel Bernhard Team Sky @ 00′ 15
72 Navardauskas Ramunas Garmin – Sharp @ 00′ 15
73 Bodnar Maciej Cannondale @ 00′ 18
74 Trentin Matteo Omega Pharma-Quick Step @ 00′ 24
75 Van Summeren Johan Garmin – Sharp @ 00′ 35
76 Sabatini Fabio Cannondale @ 00′ 35
77 Langeveld Sebastian Garmin – Sharp @ 00′ 41
78 Marcato Marco Cannondale @ 00′ 45
79 Hansen Adam Lotto-Belisol @ 00′ 45
80 Gene Yohann Team Europcar @ 00′ 47
81 Curvers Roy Team Giant-Shimano @ 00′ 47
82 Bennati Daniele Tinkoff-Saxo @ 00′ 47
83 Gruzdev Dmitriy Astana Pro Team @ 00′ 54
84 Kittel Marcel Team Giant-Shimano @ 00′ 54
85 Arashiro Yukiya Team Europcar @ 00′ 54
86 Pinot Thibaut Fdj.Fr @ 00′ 59
87 Nieve Iturralde Mikel Team Sky @ 00′ 59
88 Rolland Pierre Team Europcar @ 00′ 59
89 Clement Stef Belkin Pro Cycling @ 00′ 59
90 Simon Julien Cofidis, Solutions Credits @ 00′ 59
91 Kruijswijk Steven Belkin Pro Cycling @ 00′ 59
92 Guillou Florian Bretagne – Seche Environnement @ 00′ 59
93 Keukeleire Jens Orica Greenedge @ 00′ 59
94 Voigt Jens Trek Factory Racing @ 00′ 59
95 Oliveira Nelson Lampre – Merida @ 00′ 59
96 Stetina Peter Bmc Racing Team @ 00′ 59
97 Atapuma John Darwin Bmc Racing Team @ 00′ 59
98 Lmiger Martin Iam Cycling @ 00′ 59
99 Golas Michal Omega Pharma-Quick Step @ 00′ 59
100 Tankink Bram Belkin Pro Cycling @ 00′ 59
101 Kangert Tanel Astana Pro Team @ 00′ 59
102 Yates Simon Orica Greenedge @ 00′ 59
103 King Benjamin Garmin – Sharp @ 00′ 59
104 Reichenbach Sébastien Iam Cycling @ 00′ 59
105 Slagter Tom Jelte Garmin – Sharp @ 00′ 59
106 Gautier Cyril Team Europcar @ 00′ 59
107 Martin Tony Omega Pharma-Quick Step @ 00′ 59
108 Delaplace Anthony Bretagne – Seche Environnement @ 00′ 59
109 Gerrans Simon Orica Greenedge @ 00′ 59
110 Tuft Svein Orica Greenedge @ 00′ 59
111 Irizar Arranburu Markel Trek Factory Racing @ 00′ 59
112 Howes Alex Garmin – Sharp @ 00′ 59
113 Durbridge Luke Orica Greenedge @ 00′ 59
114 Jarrier Benoit Bretagne – Seche Environnement @ 00′ 59
115 Bideau Jean-Marc Bretagne – Seche Environnement @ 00′ 59
116 Moinard Amaël Bmc Racing Team @ 00′ 59
117 Gastauer Ben Ag2r La Mondiale @ 00′ 59
118 Huzarski Bartosz Team Netapp-Endura @ 00′ 59
119 Hollenstein Reto Iam Cycling @ 00′ 59
120 Montaguti Matteo Ag2r La Mondiale @ 00′ 59
121 Durasek Kristijan Lampre – Merida @ 00′ 59
122 Vichot Arthur Fdj.Fr @ 00′ 59
123 Clarke Simon Orica Greenedge @ 00′ 59
124 Petacchi Alessandro Omega Pharma-Quick Step @ 00′ 59
125 Pimenta Costa Mendes José Team Netapp-Endura @ 01′ 27
126 Roche Nicolas Tinkoff-Saxo @ 01′ 27
127 Gadret John Movistar Team @ 01′ 27
128 Tosatto Matteo Tinkoff-Saxo @ 01′ 27
129 Majka Rafal Tinkoff-Saxo @ 01′ 27
130 Schillinger Andreas Team Netapp-Endura @ 01′ 36
131 Timmer Albert Team Giant-Shimano @ 01′ 53
132 Pineau Cedric Fdj.Fr @ 02′ 29
133 Van Poppel Danny Trek Factory Racing
134 Paolini Luca Team Katusha @ 02′ 40
135 Kluge Roger Iam Cycling @ 02′ 55
136 Pate Danny Team Sky @ 03′ 01
137 Cimolai Davide Lampre – Merida @ 03′ 25
138 Ladagnous Matthieu Fdj.Fr @ 04′ 13
139 Delage Mickaël Fdj.Fr @ 04′ 13
140 Herrada Lopez Jesus Movistar Team @ 04′ 13
141 Acevedo Calle Janier Alexis Garmin – Sharp @ 04′ 13
142 Spilak Simon Team Katusha @ 04′ 13
143 Kadri Blel Ag2r La Mondiale @ 04′ 13
144 Mate Mardones Luis Angel Cofidis, Solutions Credits @ 04′ 13
145 Roy Jérémy Fdj.Fr @ 04′ 51
146 Demare Arnaud Fdj.Fr @ 04′ 51
147 Paulinho Sergio Miguel Moreira Tinkoff-Saxo @ 04′ 51
148 Jeannesson Arnold Fdj.Fr @ 04′ 51
149 Meier Christian Orica Greenedge @ 04′ 51
150 Barta Jan Team Netapp-Endura @ 04′ 51
151 Plaza Molina Ruben Movistar Team @ 04′ 51
152 Visconti Giovanni Movistar Team @ 04′ 51
153 Valls Rafael Lampre – Merida @ 04′ 51
154 Iglinskiy Maxim Astana Pro Team @ 04′ 51
155 Rodriguez Joaquim Team Katusha @ 04′ 51
156 Isaichev Vladimir Team Katusha @ 04′ 51
157 Edet Nicolas Cofidis, Solutions Credits @ 04′ 51
158 Westra Lieuwe Astana Pro Team @ 04′ 51
159 King Edward Cannondale @ 04′ 51
160 Busche Matthew Trek Factory Racing @ 04′ 51
161 Leezer Thomas Belkin Pro Cycling @ 04′ 51
162 Boom Lars Belkin Pro Cycling @ 04′ 51
163 Navarro Garcia Daniel Cofidis, Solutions Credits @ 04′ 51
164 Cherel Mikael Ag2r La Mondiale @ 04′ 51
165 Voeckler Thomas Team Europcar @ 04′ 51
166 Quemeneur Perrig Team Europcar @ 04′ 51
167 Fonseca Armindo Bretagne – Seche Environnement @ 04′ 51
168 Gerard Arnaud Bretagne – Seche Environnement @ 04′ 51
169 Pichot Alexandre Team Europcar @ 04′ 51
170 Molard Rudy Cofidis, Solutions Credits @ 04′ 51
171 Petit Adrien Cofidis, Solutions Credits @ 04′ 51
172 De La Cruz Melgarejo David Team Netapp-Endura @ 04′ 51
173 Lopez Garcia David Team Sky @ 04′ 51
174 Erviti Ollo Imanol Movistar Team @ 04′ 51
175 Intxausti Benat Movistar Team @ 04′ 51
176 Serpa José Lampre – Merida @ 04′ 51
177 Izaguirre Insausti Jon Movistar Team @ 04′ 51
178 Wyss Marcel Iam Cycling @ 04′ 51
179 Degenkolb John Team Giant-Shimano @ 04′ 51
180 Bonnet William Fdj.Fr @ 04′ 51
181 Devenyns Dries Team Giant-Shimano @ 04′ 51
182 Pineau Jérôme Iam Cycling @ 04′ 51
183 De Marchi Alessandro Cannondale @ 04′ 51
184 Burghardt Marcus Bmc Racing Team @ 06′ 20
185 Ji Cheng Team Giant-Shimano @ 07′ 00
186 De Clercq Bart Lotto-Belisol @ 07′ 02
187 Taaramäe Rein Cofidis, Solutions Credits @ 08′ 06
188 Riblon Christophe Ag2r La Mondiale @ 09′ 23
189 Garcia Echeguibel Egoitz Cofidis, Solutions Credits @ 15′ 49

OVERALL
1 NIBALI Vincenzo ASTANA PRO TEAM 24h 38′ 25
2 FUGLSANG Jakob ASTANA PRO TEAM @ 00′ 02
3 SAGAN Peter CANNONDALE @ 00′ 44
4 KWIATKOWSKI Michal OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP @ 00′ 50
5 CANCELLARA Fabian TREK FACTORY RACING @ 01′ 17
6 VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen LOTTO-BELISOL @ 01′ 45
7 GALLOPIN Tony LOTTO-BELISOL @ 01′ 45
8 PORTE Richie TEAM SKY @ 01′ 54
9 TALANSKY Andrew GARMIN – SHARP @ 02′ 05
10 VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOVISTAR TEAM @ 02′ 11
11 VAN GARDEREN Tejay BMC RACING TEAM @ 02′ 11
12 BARDET Romain AG2R LA MONDIALE @ 02′ 11
13 COSTA Rui Alberto LAMPRE – MERIDA @ 02′ 11
14 THOMAS Geraint TEAM SKY @ 02′ 16
15 DUMOULIN Tom TEAM GIANT-SHIMANO @ 02′ 25
16 TROFIMOV Yury TEAM KATUSHA @ 02′ 25
17 MOLLEMA Bauke BELKIN PRO CYCLING @ 02′ 27
18 CONTADOR Alberto TINKOFF-SAXO @ 02′ 37
19 BAKELANTS Jan OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP @ 02′ 39
20 VELITS Peter BMC RACING TEAM @ 02′ 44
21 PINOT Thibaut FDJ.FR @ 03′ 24
22 ALBASINI Michael ORICA GREENEDGE @ 03′ 29
23 PÉRAUD Jean-Christophe AG2R LA MONDIALE @ 03′ 29
24 MACHADO Tiago TEAM NETAPP-ENDURA @ 03′ 59
25 ZUBELDIA AGIRRE Haimar TREK FACTORY RACING @ 03′ 59
26 MARCATO Marco CANNONDALE @ 04′ 08
27 FRANK Mathias IAM CYCLING @ 04′ 13
28 HORNER Christopher LAMPRE – MERIDA @ 04′ 13
29 TEN DAM Laurens BELKIN PRO CYCLING @ 04′ 13
30 NIEVE ITURRALDE Mikel TEAM SKY @ 04′ 28
31 KONIG Leopold TEAM NETAPP-ENDURA @ 04′ 45
32 VOSS Paul TEAM NETAPP-ENDURA @ 05′ 07
33 KEUKELEIRE Jens ORICA GREENEDGE @ 05′ 40
34 TANKINK Bram BELKIN PRO CYCLING @ 05′ 45
35 ROLLAND Pierre TEAM EUROPCAR @ 06′ 17
36 KANGERT Tanel ASTANA PRO TEAM @ 06′ 31
37 GAUTIER Cyril TEAM EUROPCAR @ 06′ 36
38 KRUIJSWIJK Steven BELKIN PRO CYCLING @ 07′ 46
39 FEILLU Brice BRETAGNE – SECHE ENVIRONNEMENT @ 09′ 10
40 SCHLECK Frank TREK FACTORY RACING @ 09′ 12
41 CLARKE Simon ORICA GREENEDGE @ 09′ 12
42 OSS Daniel BMC RACING TEAM @ 09′ 20
43 ELMIGER Martin IAM CYCLING @ 09′ 25
44 AVICHOT Arthur FDJ.FR @ 09′ 25
45 GASTAUER Ben AG2R LA MONDIALE @ 12′ 01
46 ROELANDTS Jurgen LOTTO-BELISOL @ 12′ 20
47 TRENTIN Matteo OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP @ 12′ 23
48 GRIVKO Andriy ASTANA PRO TEAM @ 12′ 50
49 SCHÄR Michael BMC RACING TEAM @ 13′ 06
50 VAN AVERMAET Greg BMC RACING TEAM 24h 51′ 33 @ 13′ 08

 

 

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