Stage 6 (Epernay - Metz)

At the begining of Todays 207.5km stage the first rider to break free of the peloton was Dave Zabriskie (GRS), after around 7.5km he was caught by three other riders, Malacarne (EUC), Zingle (COF) and Kroon (STB). At the 35km mark there was a crash involving Gesink (RAB), Valverde (MOV), Greipel (LTB) amongst others. This caused the peloton to ease up, allowing the fallen riders to get back into the bunch. After the short disruption caused by this incident, the breakaway were 6 Minutes ahead of the Peloton

Coming up to the days intermediate sprint, Orica-GreenEdge set a high tempo. In the breakaway Kroon gained the 20 points aswell as the cash prize associated with it. At the head of the peloton Sky had three men – Eisel, Boasson Hagen and Cavendish came around and into the lead. Goss kicked earlier than the world champion gaining him fifth place and 11 green jersey points. Zabriskie took the only climbing point of the day. A second collision happened where a Rabobank rider appeared to catch the barriers and this caused a large bunch in the peloton to stop. Greipel, Farrar and Mollema were involved and the pace of the peloton eased, the advantage of the break grew to 1'50”.

Just as the leaders passed the 25km to go mark, with the bunch 1km behind, there was a huge crash in the peloton. It involved some very big name riders, including Frank Schleck, Mark Cavendish and Edvald Boasson Hagen, aswell as many other riders who have dropped down in the overall General Classification. Cancellara, Evans, Wiggins, van Garderen, Nibali, and Basso all got past unharmed, as did the majority of the Orica-Greenedge team. Who subsequently set off at a grueling pace to try catch the escape. The last of the four escapees, Zabriskie, was caught inside the final 2km. The Lotto team (although earlier stating Greipel wouldn't contest the sprint) lead the pack under the 1km banner. However, Greipel, whether because of his injuries or just lack of speed, was passed rather convincingly by 2 time stage winner, Peter Sagan who added yet another interesting celebration to his repertoire.

Notable time losses from today include F.Schleck: 2'09" down; Gesink lost 3'31” and Hesjedal lost a huge 13'31”.
Fabian Cancellara, however, did what comes best to him, staying safe at the front of the peloton. He will wear the yellow jersey tomorrow, this years first real mountain stage.

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Top 5 Today

1. P. SAGAN (LIQ) 4H 37' 00"
2. A. GREIPEL (LTB) 0' 00"
3. M. GOSS (OGE) 0' 00"
4. K. VAN HUMMEL (VCD) 0' 00"
5. J. HAEDO (STB) 0' 00"