Paris-Nice

Stage 6: Peynier to Tourrettes-sur-Loup, 220km/137mi

By Cathy Mehl

Riding in the day-long break, Xavier Tondo of the Cervélo Test Team seized the opportunity to ride away from his group with 34km to go.  As the main field picked up riders from the 23-man group, the Spanish rider ramped up his speed and never looked back from his solo vantage point,  claiming a victory he termed ‘incredible” in Tourrettes-sur-Loup.   Sprinting in for second and third at five seconds behind were Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne) and Peter Sagan of Liquigas.  Valverde’s second-place earned him a time bonus that moved him within 14-seconds of race leader Alberto Contador (Astana), but with only one short stage to go the win looks all but in the bag for the two-time Tour de France winner.

Team riders Levi Leipheimer and Tiago Machado both made the large break and cooperated with the big effort made to stay away, but were eventually caught by the main field on the final climb. The Shack’s best-placed rider remains Jani Brajkovic in 17^th on General Classification.

Post-race Team Director Alain Gallopin seemed happier with the team’s performance on Saturday.  “Machado and Levi were in the break.  Machado worked hard but Levi is not quite ‘Super Levi’ yet.  Still they did a good job.  But Contador got help from so many teams.  It’s understandable that Caisse d’Epargne and Liquigas chased in order to defend their positions, but why did Garmin chase so hard?  For Millar’s 9^th place?  Anyway, it was all good for Contador.  We still have tomorrow left to try something.”

“The Race to the Sun” finally lived up to its name with plenty of bright sunshine and warmer temperatures on hand for 156 riders in the 6^th stage of Paris-Nice.  With many riders finally able to shuck their leg and arm warmers, it was a glorious day in southern France. 

The group of 23 riders went away after 40km of riding and included Team RadiosShack’s Leipheimer and Machado.  With 8 climbs on the stage it was a day to test the legs and both riders looked good on the climbs.  On the final Cat. 1 climb of the Col de Vence the efforts of the day finally took a toll and the breakaway splintered apart as the main field gobbled up the frontrunners and hit the climb.

Caisse d’Epargne had the most to gain by riding aggressively and they took their role seriously as they put plenty of time on the front with little help from others.  Contador tucked in safely behind their group and was under no pressure throughout the day.  As one of the last to be caught by the yellow jersey group, Damiano Cunego (Lampre) attempted a solo chase but didn’t gain enough ground to make his effort worthwhile and dropped back to the group.  More attacks ensued, but lack of cooperation meant no success and Tondo was able to stay away.

Only one stage remains in the 2010 Paris-Nice, the final 119km/74mi ride in Nice on Sunday. Riding from snow fields to the sunshine, no doubt the peloton is ready to call it a day and head to the next competition.

Team Note:  Yaroslav ‘Popo’ Popovych has not felt well all week and did not start on Saturday.  Here’s hoping Popo returns to good health soon.

Top Ten Results

1          Xavier Tondo (Spa) Cervélo Test Team         5:01:39             

2          Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0:00:05             

3          Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas - Doimo              

4          Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi                  

5          Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha                     

6          Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne              

7          Luis-Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne                

8          Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale                          

9          Reine Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne                 

10        Daniele Righi (Ita) Lampre - Farnese Vini

23        Christopher Horner (USA)

37        Jani Brajkovic (Slo)                  

38        Levi Leipheimer (USA)

65        Tiago Machado (Por) 0:09:11

72        Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra)

101      Sébastien Rosseler (Bel) 0:18:32

DNS    Yaroslav Popovych (UKR)

General Classification after Stage 6

1          Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana          25:43:24           

2          Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0:00:14             

3          Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas - Doimo     0:00:25             

4          Luis-Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne   0:00:26             

5          Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi     0:00:29             

6          Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank     0:00:34             

7          Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha        0:00:36             

8          Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas - Doimo 0:00:38             

9          David Millar (GBr) Garmin - Transitions       0:01:02             

10        Reine Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne    0:01:06

Team RadioShack on General Classification

17        Jani Brajkovic (Slo) 0:01:56   

29        Levi Leipheimer (USA) 0:03:57

54        Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra) 0:16:04

60        Tiago Machado (Por) 0:17:49

62        Christopher Horner (USA) 0:18:38

100      Sébastien Rosseler (Bel) 0:36:40 

Photo courtesy of Graham Watson