The manx missile projects again - Touroscopy stage 6
The Alps are coming. The riders of the Tour de France spent another day on the flatlands but they know that gradient f these roads are about to change. The almost hypnotic monotony of the flat roads is about to broken and the riders know that the next chapter both in their survival and their team leaders' chances are about to be written. The riders also know that their roles are about to be redefined. The yellow jersey wearer Fabian Cancellara knows that his time in the sun is almost over and he will switch his job from protected rider and leader of the Tour de France to domestique, helper.
Stage 6 was another flat stage and a chance for the riders to again bask in the calm after a wickedly taxing opening. It was the perfect day for cycling with light winds and warm air making it a nice way for the riders to finish off their days on the lower regions as the roads are about to head skyward.
The talk of he Tour was the emotional display on the podium by Mark Cavendish. Cavendish, only 25 years of age, sobbed on the podium after his win. This can only be attributed we think to both the pressure he feels to win stages and the fact that he is a polarising figure in cycling. There are those who love him for his speed and there are those who curse him for it. But the man from the Isle of Man was in no mood to worry about what people though of his emotions. This was his last chance to win a stage before he shut up shop for a few days.
Who's Hot
- The HTC/Garmin rivalry - These two teams just plain don't get on. Every time they can disrupt the other teams run to the line and organisation they try. It is a rivalry that has flagged a little with the injury of the Garmin rider Tyler Farrar but it is great to watch these two teams at each other.
- Mark Renshaw - We have said this time and time again but Renshaw the best lead out man in the world. Renshaw is the iceman. He never panics and he always knows that when he turns on the after burners he can pilot his man Mark Cavendish to within 200m of the line and drop him off for another win. His work in Stage 6 was brilliant. Renshaw needs a lot more money to do what he does!
- Mark Cavendish - Win number 12 for Cavendish at the Tour de France. And he has done this in only 3 Tours. To put it into perspective, Robbie McEwen has 12 wins at the Tour in 13 efforts. The Manx Missile is back in town but will be shutting up shop as the roads head to the Alps. We won't be hearing from Cavendish for a few days but his form has come right after a horrible opening.
Who's Not
Robbie McEwen's finish - He was knocked off his bike after the race and he is not happy Post race an incensed McEwen said " Un-f-believable. Got taken out at 60km/h by a podium chaperone 75m after finish. He literally jumped in front & ran into me. Nothing broken. My back is so sore. I want him identified and expelled. Just too ridiculous for words what he did. I hope I can ride tmoro. I mean WTF."
Results of Stage 6
Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia 5:37:42
Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Transitions
Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha
Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Milram
Sébastien Turgot (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom
Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Professional Cycling Team
Robert Hunter (RSA) Garmin - Transitions
Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
General Classification (Yellow Jersey) after Stage 6
- Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank 28:37:30
- Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team 0:00:20
- Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:39
- Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions 0:00:46
- Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step 0:01:01
- Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 0:01:09
- Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team 0:01:16
- Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 0:01:31
- Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 0:01:40
- Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:01:42
Points Classification (Green Jersey)
- Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team 118 pts
- Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini 114
- Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha 105
- Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 92
- Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia 85
Mountains Classification (Polka Dot Jersey)
- Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step 13 pts
- Mathieu Perget (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne 12
- Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step 8
- Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne 8
- Sebastian Lang (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto 7
The road ahead...
The alps are looming. It's had to believe that the Tour de France has not been everywhere in it's own country but Station des Rousses is seeing the Tour for the first time tomorrow. While it is not a super tough stage there will definitely be splits and the big favorites of the Tour are going to have to flex their muscle.
