Stage Six Summary

The 199km sixth stage from Troyes to Nancy began at 12.39pm. There were 188 riders at the start. _ The stage featured three intermediate sprints – in Nully (at 56km), Chalaines (144.5km) and Dommartin-les-Toul (144.5km). There were also three cat-4 climbs in the stage: the Cote de Joinville (at 83.5km), the Cote de Brouthieres (at 104km), the Cote de Montigny (at 141km) and the Cote de Maron (at 185.5km). _ _ Early Attacks _ The first escape of the day came from Hincapie (DSC), Julich (CSC), Posthuma (RAB), Contador (LWT), Trenti (QST) and Voeckler (BTL). They were caught at 6.5km. The next move came from Posthuma and Albasini (LIQ) at 8km. At 9.5km Van Bon joined the two escapees. After 12.5km of racing this trio had a lead of 18”. Quickstep led the peloton’s pursuit and caught the fugitives at 22km. _ _ The Biggest Escape Of 2005 Tour _ Mengin (FDJ) was the next rider to attack. He was joined by Gerosa (LIQ) at the 29km mark. They were chased down by Kirsipuu (C.A), Auge (COF) and Kroon (RAB). At the 38km mark, these five had a lead of 40”. After 43km of racing, Mengin, Gerosa, Kroon, Kirsipuu and Auge had a lead of 2’30”. The average speed for the first hour was 51.5km/h! The peloton was led by the Discovery Channel team but they appeared content to allow the escape to gain some leeway. At the first sprint the peloton was 4’40” behind. The points were won by: 1. Mengin 6pts; 2. Kirsipuu 4pts; 3. Auge 2pts. Gerosa became the virtual leader of GC after starting the day in 84th place 4’22” behind Armstrong. The escapees established the biggest lead of the 2005 Tour. At the 70km the peloton was behind by 6’50”. At 77km, the lead was 8’00”. The maximum gain was 8’30” at Nomecourt (81km). _ _ Change In Climbing Classification _ The points for the 1st climb were won by: 1. Auge 3pts; 2. Mengin 2pts; 3. Kroon 1pt. The peloton was 8’15” behind. At the feedzone (89.5km) Davitamon and Quickstep-Innergetic started to lead the pursuit of the escapees. The average speed for the 2nd hour was 45.9km/h. At the 97km mark, the peloton’s deficit was 7’30”. _ Auge attacked the lead group in the hunt for points at the 2nd climb. He was chased and beaten over the line by Kroon. The points were won by: 1. Kroon 3pts; 2. Auge 2pts; 3. Gerosa 1pt. At the 114km mark, the lead was down to 6’05; at 129km 5’00”. The points for the 3rd climb were won by: 1. Kroon 3pts; 2. Auge 2pts; 3. Mengin 1pt. The average speed for the third hour was 45.1km/h. The sprint points in Chalaines were won by: 1. Gerosa 6pts; 2. Kirsipuu 4pts; 3. Auge 2pts. At the 150km mark, the peloton was 3’55” behind the leading quintet. The points of the 3rd intermediate sprint were won by: 1. Auge 6pts; 2. Gerosa 4pts; 3. Mengin 2pts. The peloton was behind by 2’20”. With 25km to go, the peloton was at 1’50”. _ _ Chaotic Conclusion To Stage Six _ An acceleration by Mengin caused the leading quinet to split on the final climb. At the start of the ascent the peloton was 50” behind. Kroon and Auge were caught with 17km to go. The points for the Cote de Maron were won by: 1. Mengin 3pts; 2. Gerosa 2pts; 3. Kirsipuu. (But Kroon will wear the polka-dot jersey in stage seven.) Mengin insisted with his efforts and led the peloton by 25” with 10km to go. The other two escapees were caught with 12km to go. Cioni attacked the peloton with 7km to go but his surge didn’t last long. Mengin led with by 10” with 3km to go. Vinokourov (TMO) attacked the peloton and was followed by Berunucci (FAS). They had Mengin in their sights going into the final turn. And that’s when chaos broke out. Mengin crashed on the tight, wet turn; Vinokourov unclipped from his pedal to avoid the accident; Bernucci raced into the lead and onward to his first pro victory. _ _ Behind the winner numerous riders slid into the barriers on the final turn. There didn’t appear to be any real casualties but it caused significant splits in the peloton. Lance Armstrong finished in 32nd place and will wear the yellow jersey in stage seven.