The last few days of the 2013 Giro d’Italia have been tough work for the sprinters, with the sight of them slipping out the back and forming a grupetto a common sight, but today’s parcours will have them feeling chipper in an instant. We’ll have live updates from 10.30pm AEST.
Stage 6 offers a leisurely 169 kilometre ride from Mola di Bari to Margherita di Savoia in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani.
Best of all, it’s about as flat as you’ll ever see in a Grand Tour.
The conclusion of the stage is two 16.3km laps around Margherita di Savoia, with a long, straight three kilometre run in to the finish line, so expect to see big long leadout trains from the teams of the likes of Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), John Degekolb (Argos-Shimano) and Elia Viviani (Cannondale).
Degenkolb will be feeling particularly confident after he was able to stick with the peloton over the climbs and win a crash-marred sprint on yesterday’s stage.
Also likely to bring a smile to the riders faces is the forecast – the miserable overcast conditions and steady rain and gone and likely to be replaced by warm Italian sunshine.
Luca Paolini of Katusha still wear the pink jersey as leader of the race with a 17 second advantage over Rigoberto Uran of Team Sky, but Australian eyes will be focussed on Cadel Evans of BMC, who currently sits in 10th place just 42 seconds behind Paolini.
Join me for all the action from 10.30pm AEST.
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jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
And that is it from me. Thank you for joining us tonight, another display of sprinting prowess from Mark Cavendish. Keep following The Roar for all your cycling news. Good night
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Overall standings after Stage 6 1. Luca Paolini (Katusha) 2. Rigoberto Uran (Sky) @ 17" 3. Benat Intxausti Elorriaga (Movistar) @ 26" 4. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) @ 34" 5. Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) @34" Cadel Evans still 10th, 42 seconds behind Paolini after getting through today's stage safely
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Luca Paolini is relieved to have finished the stage safely and says he will worry about tomorrow tomorrow. Probably a good idea. He remains in the maglia rosa.
FW
Guest
Goss should get back to leading out Cav, at least he was successful at that!
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Cavendish dedicates the wins to Wouter Weylandt. A nice touch from the Manx Missile.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Cavendish says Steegmans leadout was incredible. He says he is so happy, absolutely buzzing with the leadout today. He compares it to a kit car, saying he's just the exhaust, an odd analogy!
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Goss does get third, good work lad! Top 5 1. Mark Cavendish 2. Elia Viviani 3. Matt Goss 4. Nacer Bouhanni 5. Mattia Gavazzi
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Matt Goss rode a clever ride, taking wheels where he could with no team mates, might have grabbed third from Bouhanni.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
That was something. Omega Pharma-Quick Step looked a bit disorganised in the last few kms, but came together when it mattered. Bouhanni tries to calm Mattia Gavazzi as he gives a mouthful abuse to Robbie Hunter of Garmin-Sharp, Gavazzi is very upset.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
A very messy sprint. Won by Mark Cavendish, he's just too good, his team mates did a fantastic job for him. Viviani and Bouhanni right behind him
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Argos on the front
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Orica GreenEDGE on the front. Finally boys!
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Attack from Pim Ligthart of Vacansoleil. He's pedalling hard, but not really getting anywhere. It's shut down.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Bouhanni sits in third position, might be a bit early to be that far forward. This is a really disorganised finish. No train has more than 3 riders in it.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Bradley Wiggins leading the peloton again. Safest place for him at this stage. 3 kilometres to go
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
4 kms left. FDJ on the front for Bouhanni
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Pieter Weening of Orica GreenEDGE near the front, but Goss is not on his wheel.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Manuele Boaro of Saxo-Tinkoff tries a sneaky little attack. He gets a small break, but they close him down pretty quickly. 5 kilometres left.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
I cannot see Degenkolb in the first 40 odd riders, perhaps he got caught up in some trouble
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Argos-Shimano have a lovely train going on, one small problem, Degenkolb is not at the back of it. Where is the big German?