Cycling: Daniel Martin (UAE Team Emirates) has won the sixth stage of the Tour de France. The Irishman attacked relatively early in the Mûr-de-Bretagne, but could not be caught. Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) successfully defended the yellow jersey, while Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) and Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) lost valuable time after technical problems.
Direct Energie again with two men in the lead group
From Brest to the finish line on the Mûr-de-Bretagne, it was 181,0 kilometers to cover today on the sixth stage of the Tour de France. The pros had to cross the final ascent twice. But before that could happen, the escape group of the day formed. With Damian Gaudin and Fabien Grellier the French team Direct Energie was represented with two drivers in front today. They were accompanied by DionSmith (Wanty Groupe Gobert), Laurent Pichon (Fortuneo-Samsic) and Anthony Turgis (Cofidis). Due to the controversial composition of the group, it quickly became clear that there would be another fight for the mountain jersey. Dion Smith had a point before the start of the stage and was still wearing the polka dot jersey until yesterday when it was taken from him by Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo). Because he was in the breakaway group, he now had the chance to regain the coveted jersey. But Direct Energie also had exactly this in mind again today.
Dion Smith in pursuit of the mountain jersey
DionSmith focused on his goal. On the Côte de Ploudiry (3rd category / 1,5 km at 7,0%) and the Côte de Roc'h Trévézel (4th category / 2,5 km at 3,5%) he secured maximum points and drew therefore virtually equal to the leader in the ranking. Around Tom's Skujins However, to remove the red and white shirt, he still needed at least one more point. However, there were still 100,0 kilometers to go before the first crossing of the Mûr-de-Bretagne. Team Direct Energie had nothing to oppose Smith in the first mountain classification, although there were again two men in front. At the second point deduction, he was given #1 place without a fight, so as not to cause unrest in the breakaway group like yesterday. The chances of winning the stage also disappeared. Wind relays from Quick-Step Floors divided the field into several groups.
Movistar & LottoNL Jumbo Gone with the Wind
The Belgian team Quick Step Floors has lived up to its name as a classic team today. As soon as the wind blew strongly from the side, the pace increased and caused an explosive racing situation. The teams were particularly surprised Movistar and LottoNL Jumbo, whose captains found themselves in the second or even third field of drivers. While Nairo Quintana and Co. were able to reconnect, Primoz Roglic and Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) struggled. Since otherwise no important drivers were left behind, Quick-Step Floors took their foot off the gas pedal. As a result, the black and yellow men from LottoNL-Jumbo finally managed to reunite. The victims of the action were the leaders, because now the lead was only about two minutes. Team Quick-Step Floors continued to control the pace and left no doubt that today's breakaways will be caught in time.
No mountain jersey for Dion Smith
Behind the quintet secured alexander kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) before Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) and Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) in the sprint classification in Plouguernével #6. In the leading group, the harmony was gone due to the small lead. Attack after attack followed, but Dion Smith in particular was interested in reaching Mûr-de-Bretagne ahead of the peloton because of the mountains classification. But Team Direct Energie once again wanted to spoil the game. First broke up Damian Gaudin from his pursuers, afterwards Fabien Grellier. However, neither could keep their companions at a distance in the long term. In the Mûr-de-Bretagne all escapees were caught. So could himself Tom's Skujins secure the full number of points and thus defend his mountain jersey. Then an attack by Jack Bauer (Mitchelton-Scott) foiled.
Daniel Martin attacks early - and pulls through
A few kilometers before the finish had to Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) and Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) repair material damage that caused them to lose touch. When there was still a little more than a kilometer to go, I sat down Daniel Martin (UAE Team Emirates) his attack. A gap quickly opened up behind the Irishman. Pierre Latour (AG2R La Mondiale) tried to jump after him, but his attack came too late. He finished second, one second behind. They were followed by three seconds behind Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), who led a larger group to the finish. Very active in Mûr-de-Bretagne Richie porte (BMC), who always ensured a fundamentally high pace from the front. Today's stage ended bitterly for Tom Dumoulin and Romain Bardet, who lost 53 and 31 seconds respectively to the day's winner. Also Chris Froome (Sky) conceded eight seconds.
#TDF2018 6th stage
Vittoria di DANIEL MARTIN on MUR DE BRETAGNE 🇮🇪📹 pic.twitter.com/7JKP6BKytL- CyclingTime (@Cyclingtimenews) July 12, 2018
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