Another so-called sprint stage that wasn’t. 

Stage 6 was too lumpy and long to be a stage where the typical sprinters challenged for the win.

BoassonHagensprintTDF6Edvald Boasson Hagen, Team Sky, took the stage narrowly beating HTC sprinter, Matt Goss, and yellow jersey wearer Thor Hushovd. Both Hushovd and Hagen are from Norway.

It was a rainy day on the road and although there were fewer crashes than yesterday, a couple of GC riders still managed to hit the pavement.  Unfortunately for the already banged up Radio Shack team, GC hopeful Levi Leipheimer, crashed with just 4k to go. Although he wasn’t seriously injured he lost 65 seconds. Alberto Contador had some kind of mechanical issue with his bike but was able to recover and finish the stage with the peloton.

Stage 7 is a true sprint stage, flat and fast, with a long finishing straight at the end – a sprinter’s dream.  Look for sprinter extraordinaire Mark Cavendish to win.  The finishing town is the same one where Cavendish got his very first Tour win back in 2008. Alessandro Petacchi and Tyler Farrar should be in the mix tomorrow, as well as Ben Swift and Romain Feillu – she said hopefully.

Today was another impressive ride by Thor Hushovd, not only keeping the yellow jersey, but challenging Hagen and Goss at the line for the stage victory.  He continues to be the most impressive rider thus far in the Tour.

Look for Hushovd to keep the yellow jersey tomorrow and to be in the mix at the finish.

Tour de France Fantasy Cycling Challenge

For the Love of Bikes team (4loveofbikes) managed to pull 151 points from stage 6.  Both starters Phillippe Gilbert and crazy man, Romain Feillu earned points.  Feillu finished in 4th place and Gilbert finished 7th.

Stage 6 points:  151