The sprinters will get another two chances to shoot for glory at the Tour de France and the first of those before the mountains hit hard as Stage 6 takes the peloton over 216 kilometres from Vesoul to Troyes. Join The Roar for live coverage from 9:40pm (AEST).
After Chris Froome slipped into yellow at the top of Planche Des Belles Filles on Stage 5, the attention turns back to the fast men on a stage that features only two Category 4 climbs.
With Fabio Aru riding away to win yesterday’s stage and take the King of the Mountains jersey, that means he will be holding onto that no matter what happens on the 216 kilometre trip.
Long stages have been a characteristic to start this year’s Tour, and this one is no different. With the temperatures soaring into the 30’s again today, albeit with the potential for crosswinds, it could be another slow day in the saddle.
Starting out in Vesoul, the Côte de Langres will be the first climb reached, coming after 69 kilometres. It’s nothing more than a leg burner – 1.3 kilometres at 6.9 per cent.
Interestingly, today’s stage is genuinely flat. Other flat stages have had plenty of rolling terrain that wasn’t categorised as climbs, and while there is still undulation on the profile, it’s not as pronounced as previous days.
The intermediate sprint on today’s stage comes after 135 kilometres – or with 81 to go in Colombey-les-deux-Eglises.
With Peter Sagan out of the race, these have taken on a much heavier role in deciding who will win the green jersey. For riders like Michael Matthews and Greg Van Avermaet who may survive during the hill stages to pick up points, intermediate sprints have become crucial.
The second Category 4 climb to Côte de la colline Sainte-Germaine will follow shortly afterwards before a pancake-flat 62 kilometres to the finish line.
The last kilometre itself is actually on a slight false flat, which will make the timing of a sprint absolutely pivotal to success. Go too early and you’re sure to be caught.
Marcel Kittel has looked brilliant so far in the race and will be out for another stage win, while Arnaud Demare won the last flat stage. With Mark Cavendish and Peter Sagan out, it may open the door for Andre Greipel and other non-pure sprinters in the form of Alexander Kristoff and Matthews, who are outright leaders of their team at this point.
Sonny Colbrelli is another to watch today. He is a genuine fast finisher, but hasn’t had the lead out or form to contend so far.
Prediction
It’s hard to go past Kittel for another, but I’m going to. Greipel hasn’t sprinted brilliantly yet, but Lotto-Soudal are a professional outfit. I expect a day off sprinting might bring him into the picture for victory ahead of Kittel and Demare.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Stage 6 from 9:40pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Was a good finish. Thanks mate!
Lionheart
Guest
I couldn't stay the distance on this one, but great to catch up with your call here Scott Pryde. Thanks.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That'll do it for Stage 6 here on The Roar. Hopefully you have enjoyed the stage and call. I'll be back from 10pm (AEST) for Stage 7. Before then, you can join me from 7:50pm (AEST) for NRL coverage as the South Sydney Rabbitohs play the Sydney Roosters. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 1. Chris Froome (Sky) @ 23:44:33 2. Geraint Thomas (Sky) + 0:12 3. Fabio Aru (Astana) + 0:14 4. Daniel Martin (Quick Step) + 0:25 5. Richie Porte (BMC) + 0:39 6. Simon Yates (Orica) + 0:43 7. Romain Bardet (Ag2r) + 0:47 8. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) + 0:52 9. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) + 0:54 10. Rafal Majka (Bora) + 1:01
Scott Pryde
Expert
TOP TEN 1. Marcel Kittel (Quickstep) @ 5:05:34 2. Arnaud Demare (FDJ) + 0:00 3. Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) + 0:00 4. Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) + 0:00 5. Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) + 0:00 6. Dylan Groenewegen (Lotto Jumbo) + 0:00 7. Michael Matthews (Sunweb) + 0:00 8. Daniel McLay (Fortuneo) + 0:00 9. Rudiger Selig (Bora) + 0:00 10. John Degenkolb (Trek) + 0:00
Scott Pryde
Expert
They narrowly averted another crash there. Riders got awfully close to the barriers. Full results of Stage 6 to come.
Scott Pryde
Expert
It's going to be interesting to see replays here. Kittel came from eighth position to win around the outside as Demare took on the barriers. Greipel had the lead, but just couldn't hold off Kittel and Demare. Photo finish for fourth.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The bunch split across the line there. It did get physical, but there was no crash from what I could make out. A group coming over about 50 seconds later.
Scott Pryde
Expert
A quick step rider on the front, but there is no sign of Kittel at this point. Boasson Hagen hits the front 500 metres from home, but he is going to give Demare the perfect lead out. He gets through, one of the Katusha riders exploding, Greipel is there as well, but Kittel has come from a ridiculously difficult position to get ahead of everyone and take Stage 6 of the Tour de France! MARCEL KITTEL WINS STAGE 6!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Starting to get a little physical. Mark Renshaw has come to the front, but it's way too early so he swings off. Inside the final kilometre.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Jurgen Roelandts is back at the front for Greipel.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Dimension Data now have control, but here come Cofidis for Nacer Bouhanni. They are pushing up on the right hand side, with Katusha in the wheels of the leading Dimension Data rider now. Quick Step have gone missing.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Dimension Data looking good, with FDJ behind them and Matthews locked into the wheel of Arnaud Demare. Round a tight left hand corner with 2km to go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Dimension Data, presumably looking after Renshaw now coming to the front. Sunweb and FDJ are there, but things have broken down completely. No real lead out from anyone at the moment. 2.5 to go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Here is the catch. Just under 3km to go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Quick Step have come to the front through 4km to go. What a recovery from them as they to propel Kittel to another victory.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, the peloton bunching on the left appears to have butchered FDJ here, but it's opened the door for Quick Step who have got themselves in behind Katusha.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The peloton snake around a roundabout with Martin still leading Katusha. Breakaway inside 5km to go. Andre Greipel appears to be struggling for leadout men here as the peloton streak across to the left-hand side.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Katusha in control on the left, while FDJ have got themselves organised and are flying up the right hand side. This is one very organised lead out. Gap is 20 seconds with 5.5km to go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Chris Froome and Sky quite a long way back on the right hand side of the road. Even more worryingly, Marcel Kittel is behind them with 6km to go. He has some teammates, but Kittel is at least 50 riders back.