Thor Strikes Once Again

The Progress Report
The 181.5km sixth stage of the 2009 Tour de France – raced entirely in Spain, from Girona to Barcelona – began at 12.54pm. There were 177 riders in the race, with Robert Gesink the non-starter. The route featured five small climbs evenly spread throughout the course, they were: the cote de Saint-Feliu de Guixols (cat-4 at 32km), cote de Tossa de Mar (cat-4 at 55km), cote de Saint Vicenc de Montalt (cat-3 at 98km), Collsacreu (cat-3 at 110km) and the cote de la Coneria (cat-4 at 159km). The three intermediate sprints were in Lloret de Mar (64km), Sant Pol de Mar (85.5km) and Cardedeu (132.5km).

Millar Becomes Virtual Leader
Before the first escape was established, Sastre (CTT) was involved in a crash. Zabriskie (GRM) was the first rider to gain any advantage on the peloton with an attack around the 30km mark but the first real gain from an escapee was for his team-mate, Millar who attacked at the 46km mark. He was chased down by Chavanel (QSI) and this pair was joined by Auge (COF) at 49km. The advantage on the bunch was 1’00”. The average speed for the first hour was 46.8km/h. Millar became the virtual leader of the Tour after starting the stage in 10th overall, 1’07” behind Cancellara. At the first sprint he followed Chavanel and Auge over the line. The peloton was 3’45” behind at 64km mark. This was the maximum gain. Riders from Milram, Rabobank and Cervelo were at the front of the peloton. At the feedzone (88km) the peloton was 2’20” behind. Le Lay (AGR) was involved in a crash.

Auge Takes Over Polka-Dot Jersey
On the third climb, Txurruka (EUS) attacked the peloton to take one point, 1’55” behind Auge, Chavanel and Millar. The Euskaltel rider caught the three leaders at the 111km mark. Astana led the bunch from the 95km mark and reached the fourth summit 1’50” behind the four escapees. Auge led over the second, third and fourth climbs. He acquired 11 points and he will wear the polka-dot jersey in stage seven.
After the stint of Astana being at the front and number of other teams took responsibility for the chase although Rabobank, Milram and Katusha simply kept the escape honest, maintaining a deficit of 1’30” to 1’40” until 35km to go. Cervelo also put a few riders on the front and with 34km to go, the peloton was 1’00” behind.

Millar Goes Alone
With 29km to go, Millar attacked. He was later pursued by Txurruka but the other two escapees were caught at the 25km to go mark. Millar’s lead was 55” at that stage and Txurruka was at 20”. Pauriol attacked on the last climb and caught Txurruka with 16km to go. The peloton was at 1’00”. Pauriol and Txurruka were caught 11km from the line. There was a crash involving Rogers (THR) and Haussler (CTT) and a number of others with 8km to go. Millar’s advantage was 55”. Boonen (QSI) was another rider to crash on the streets of Barcelona.

Hushovd Delivers A Victory For Cervelo
Millar was caught by the peloton just 1,600m before the finish. The Milram and Rabobank teams did most of the chasing but Astana also were present before a move by Feillu (AGR) began the sprint for stage honors. Thor Hushovd (CTT) pounced to the front in the dying meters and took the victory ahead of Freire (RAB). The peloton had been reduced to about 43 riders but Cancellara finished 10th in the stage and keeps his yellow jersey. Cavendish (THR) finished 16th in the stage and retains his green jersey by just one point from the Norwegian stage winner.