Stybar wins stage six of Tour de France, race leader Tony Martin crashes hard

LE HAVRE, France (CT) – On a day of contrasting fortunes for the Etixx-QuickStep team, Zdenek Stybar jumped away inside the final two kilometres to win the stage while race leader Tony Martin crashed in the finale.

Martin badly injured his shoulder and was pushed across the line by three team-mates, nursing his left arm. The sight raised the possibility that he had broken his collarbone and would therefore be unable to continue in the race.

The nature of the injury was later confirmed as that and it looks extremely likely that he will not take the start on Thursday.

Stybar made his move after the confusion caused by the crash. The other sprinters’ teams stalled, looking at each other, and this gave him enough of a buffer to hold on until the line.

Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) won the battle for second, two seconds behind, with Brian Coquard (Europcar), John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team) the next best of the bunch.

As the crash happened inside the final three kilometres Martin was given the same time as the peloton. He remains in yellow as a result but there is real doubt about his chances of continuing in the race.

If so, that will mean that former leader and 2013 race winner Chris Froome (Sky) will take over at the top once again.

Last year’s Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) also fell, but was largely uninjured. Fellow Maillot Jaune contender Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing Team) was also delayed but, like Martin, the duo were given the same time as the bunch.

Stybar’s success continues the strong Tour of the Etixx – QuickStep team showing. It won stage four when Martin broke clear with just over three kilometres to go, netting victory plus the yellow jersey.

While he is almost certain to leave the race, today’s result shows that others on the squad can also step up when required.

“It was completely crazy,” said Stybar, talking about the run in towards the line. “We knew there was downhill. We lost a lot of positions in the corners, but on the climb I managed to get to the front. I saw that Cavendish was a little bit in difficulties. I saw Tony [Martin] was there okay so I decided to try.

“I went for it and when I saw I had a little gap, when nobody moved directly, I thought ‘okay, maybe I can make it.’”

Make it he did and, as a result, the team has something to celebrate on what is otherwise a frustrating day for it.

How it played out:

The sixth stage of the Tour de France continued the westward direction of the race, tracking the coastline for much of the 191.5 kilometre route from Abbeville to Le Havre. It travelled mostly through Normandy and a sidewind was expected.

A total of 188 riders lined out with Orica GreenEdge’s Michael Albasini the only non-starter. He had been nursing crash injuries this week and the damage became too much.

Luis Angel Maté (Cofidis) was the first attacker, going from the gun but being reeled in just over three kilometres later.

After five kilometres of racing the day’s break was able to get clear. Perrig Quémeneur (Europcar) kicked things off and was then joined by Kenneth Van Bilsen (Cofidis) and Daniel Teklehaimanot (MTN-Qhubeka). They quickly opened a gap of over a minute and had four minutes 15 seconds by kilometre ten.

Teklehaimanot had been best placed at the start of the day but his deficit of 26 minutes 54 seconds meant that he was of no danger to the yellow jersey of Tony Martin. The break was given leeway and built a lead of twelve and a half minutes by kilometre 28.

Andre Greipel’s Lotto-Soudal team was working to try to set the German up for his third stage win and started riding tempo. This reduced the break’s advantage to under twelve minutes and then down to seven minutes 15 seconds by kilometre 54.

The break raced onwards to the Côte de Dieppe, where Teklehaimanot won the sprint to the top and took the sole available point in the King of the Mountains competition.

He had won that competition outright in the Critérium du Dauphiné and was determined to get similar good publicity for the team in the bigger ASO event.

Approximately ten minutes later he repeated the feat on the day’s second category four climb, the Côte de Pourville-sur-Mer. This raised his total to two points, level with Mur de Huy winner Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha). However the latter remained in the lead as he was first to the top of that category three climb, considered more important than the category four climbs on stage six.

Back in the bunch, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) was riding along with torn shorts. He had slipped when he stopped to take a nature break but was not injured.

The break continued onwards and had a five minute gap with 83 kilometres left. This dropped to three minutes 50 seconds after Sky and Tinkoff-Saxo started chasing and slid further to one minute 40 seconds with 49 kilometres remaining.

Soon afterwards Quémeneur took the intermediate sprint at Saint Leonard. Van Bilsen and Teklehaimanot were second and third while back in the bunch, Degenkolb won the gallop for fourth place. The gap at this point with down to 50 seconds and the proximity of bunch to break enticed Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) to have a go.

He chased hard but was unable to make any impression. He sat up and waited for the bunch, which itself had taken the foot off the gas and allowed the break to pull clear again and pad the advantage to two minutes 15 seconds.

Teklehaimanot was determined to end the day in the polka dot jersey and made sure of that when he won the sprint at the top of the Côte du Tilleul. The bunch realised it was time to reel the move in and cut the gap to one minute ten seconds with 26 kilometres to go.

This continued to fall and with the gap at 35 seconds with 12.5 kilometres left, Kenny van Bilsen attacked alone.

As a result he was 25 seconds clear with ten kilometres left while the other two riders were caught. He held on until the three kilometre to go banner but the chasing of teams like Etixx - QuickStep saw him caught with three kilometres remaining.

Giant Alpecin moved to the front for John Degenkolb and drove the peloton towards the start of the uphill stretch before the line. Etixx-QuickStep took over again with race leader Tony Martin sitting second wheel; the Cofidis team then pushed ahead, only to miss out when the sprinters’ teams pushed forward again.

Martin was trying to stay out of trouble but clipped Coquard’s wheel and ended up on the deck. Other riders also fell, but the race leader was the most badly hurt. He suffered a severe shoulder injury and as a result of the fractured collarbone he sustained, was forced to pull out from the Tour.

It was a huge blow to him and his team, but Stybar’s success helped to soften things somewhat.

“For me it is a very important win,” he said. “When I changed from cyclo-cross to road, I had some very difficult times. I was working really hard to make that change and I made some nice results. Strade Bianche, winning the Eneco GC. Also last I had a lot of bad luck, the two crashes with one on Eneco and anther in cyclo-cross.

“So this means a lot for me. I am extremely happy that I got the chance today from the tean, that they gave me the free card that I could do it. They told me if I can, I can go for it. It means a lot for me as I don’t get a lot of chances in the year. Today I had one and I am really happy that I succeeded, that I made it.”

Stage 6: Abbeville > Le Havre - Stage Result

Thursday 9th July 2015

1.	STYBAR Zdenek Etixx - Quick Step	04:53:46
2.	SAGAN Peter Tinkoff - Saxo	0:02
3.	COQUARD Bryan Team Europcar	-
4.	DEGENKOLB John Team Giant - Alpecin	-
5.	VAN AVERMAET Greg BMC Racing Team	-
6.	GALLOPIN Tony Lotto Soudal	-
7.	BOASSON HAGEN Edvald MTN - Qhubeka	-
8.	CIMOLAI Davide Lampre - Merida	-
9.	SIMON Julien Cofidis, Solutions Crédits	-
10.	IZAGIRRE Gorka Movistar Team	-
11.	KRISTOFF Alexander Team Katusha	-
12.	GESINK Robert Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
13.	RODRíGUEZ Joaquim Team Katusha	-
14.	FONSECA Armindo Bretagne - Séché Environnement	-
15.	VALVERDE Alejandro Movistar Team	-
16.	CONTADOR Alberto Tinkoff - Saxo	-
17.	URAN Rigoberto Etixx - Quick Step	-
18.	MARTENS Paul Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
19.	FRANK Mathias IAM Cycling	-
20.	TALANSKY Andrew Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
21.	YATES Simon Orica GreenEDGE	-
22.	SEPúLVEDA Eduardo Bretagne - Séché Environnement	-
23.	PANTANO GOMEZ Jarlinson IAM Cycling	-
24.	ARREDONDO MORENO Julián David Trek Factory Racing	-
25.	ZUBELDIA AGIRRE Haimar Trek Factory Racing	-

1.	MARTIN Tony Etixx - Quick Step	22:13:14
2.	FROOME Christopher Team Sky	0:12
3.	VAN GARDEREN Tejay BMC Racing Team	0:25
4.	SAGAN Peter Tinkoff - Saxo	0:27
5.	GALLOPIN Tony Lotto Soudal	0:38
6.	VAN AVERMAET Greg BMC Racing Team	0:40
7.	URAN Rigoberto Etixx - Quick Step	0:46
8.	CONTADOR Alberto Tinkoff - Saxo	0:48
9.	STYBAR Zdenek Etixx - Quick Step	1:04
10.	THOMAS Geraint Team Sky	1:15
11.	BARGUIL Warren Team Giant - Alpecin	1:19
12.	MOLLEMA Bauke Trek Factory Racing	1:44
13.	NIBALI Vincenzo Astana Pro Team	1:50
14.	GESINK Robert Team LottoNL-Jumbo	1:51
15.	KREUZIGER Roman Tinkoff - Saxo	2:03
16.	VALVERDE Alejandro Movistar Team	-
17.	QUINTANA Nairo Movistar Team	2:08
18.	RODRíGUEZ Joaquim Team Katusha	2:12
19.	PERAUD Jean-Christophe AG2R La Mondiale	2:19
20.	TALANSKY Andrew Team Cannondale - Garmin	2:51
21.	BARDET Romain AG2R La Mondiale	3:06
22.	BAKELANTS Jan AG2R La Mondiale	3:36
23.	FUGLSANG Jakob Astana Pro Team	4:01
24.	FRANK Mathias IAM Cycling	4:07
25.	COSTA Rui Lampre - Merida	4:10

1.	TEKLEHAIMANOT Daniel MTN - Qhubeka	3
2.	RODRíGUEZ Joaquim Team Katusha	2
3.	SCHAR Michael BMC Racing Team	1
4.	MAJKA Rafał Tinkoff - Saxo	1
5.	DE GENDT Thomas Lotto Soudal	1
6.	FROOME Christopher Team Sky	1

1.	GREIPEL André Lotto Soudal	161
2.	SAGAN Peter Tinkoff - Saxo	158
3.	DEGENKOLB John Team Giant - Alpecin	120
4.	CAVENDISH Mark Etixx - Quick Step	94
5.	COQUARD Bryan Team Europcar	86
6.	STYBAR Zdenek Etixx - Quick Step	63
7.	MARTIN Tony Etixx - Quick Step	60
8.	VAN AVERMAET Greg BMC Racing Team	58
9.	QUEMENEUR Perrig Team Europcar	46
10.	BOASSON HAGEN Edvald MTN - Qhubeka	45
11.	GALLOPIN Tony Lotto Soudal	44
12.	FROOME Christopher Team Sky	40
13.	RODRíGUEZ Joaquim Team Katusha	34
14.	KRISTOFF Alexander Team Katusha	34
15.	CURVERS Roy Team Giant - Alpecin	25
16.	VUILLERMOZ Alexis AG2R La Mondiale	22
17.	VAN GARDEREN Tejay BMC Racing Team	21
18.	DENNIS Rohan BMC Racing Team	20
19.	BáRTA Jan Bora-Argon 18	20
20.	PERICHON Pierre-Luc Bretagne - Séché Environnement	20
21.	DE GENDT Thomas Lotto Soudal	20
22.	VANBILSEN Kenneth Cofidis, Solutions Crédits	20
23.	MARTIN Daniel Team Cannondale - Garmin	19
24.	FONSECA Armindo Bretagne - Séché Environnement	18
25.	CIMOLAI Davide Lampre - Merida	18

1.	SAGAN Peter Tinkoff - Saxo	22:13:41
2.	BARGUIL Warren Team Giant - Alpecin	0:52
3.	QUINTANA Nairo Movistar Team	1:41
4.	BARDET Romain AG2R La Mondiale	2:39
5.	PINOT Thibaut FDJ	6:03
6.	SEPúLVEDA Eduardo Bretagne - Séché Environnement	9:50
7.	KWIATKOWSKI Michal Etixx - Quick Step	10:26
8.	YATES Simon Orica GreenEDGE	11:51
9.	YATES Adam Orica GreenEDGE	12:09
10.	LAPORTE Christophe Cofidis, Solutions Crédits	13:03
11.	DéMARE Arnaud FDJ	16:21
12.	COQUARD Bryan Team Europcar	16:46
13.	DENNIS Rohan BMC Racing Team	16:54
14.	SENECHAL Florian Cofidis, Solutions Crédits	-
15.	VALGREN ANDERSEN Michael Tinkoff - Saxo	21:05
16.	PREIDLER Georg Team Giant - Alpecin	24:08
17.	TULIK Angelo Team Europcar	24:56
18.	ROWE Luke Team Sky	25:11
19.	KELDERMAN Wilco Team LottoNL-Jumbo	27:13
20.	WELLENS Tim Lotto Soudal	28:21
21.	DURBRIDGE Luke Orica GreenEDGE	33:29
22.	VANBILSEN Kenneth Cofidis, Solutions Crédits	33:35
23.	VAN BAARLE Dylan Team Cannondale - Garmin	36:29
24.	JUNGELS Bob Trek Factory Racing	40:17
25.	KUDUS Merhawi MTN - Qhubeka	40:50

1.	BMC Racing Team	66:41:19
2.	Etixx - Quick Step	0:22
3.	Tinkoff - Saxo	1:44
4.	Team Sky	3:14
5.	AG2R La Mondiale	5:44
6.	Team Giant - Alpecin	5:55
7.	Movistar Team	7:27
8.	Team Katusha	7:56
9.	Cofidis, Solutions Crédits	8:10
10.	Team Cannondale - Garmin	9:00
11.	Astana Pro Team	9:55
12.	Lotto Soudal	11:52
13.	Trek Factory Racing	13:05
14.	MTN - Qhubeka	13:33
15.	Team LottoNL-Jumbo	13:59
16.	IAM Cycling	15:40
17.	Bora-Argon 18	17:03
18.	FDJ	20:12
19.	Team Europcar	22:57
20.	Lampre - Merida	33:06
21.	Bretagne - Séché Environnement	46:23
22.	Orica GreenEDGE	48:32

Michael Sproul

When I grow up I want to be as hard as Tony Martin! Smashes his shoulder and immediately goes to congratulate his team mate, what a dude!
- CC
  
  Pretty amazing moments all round - Seeing his team push a Yellow Jersey up the hill, then as selfless congratulations - Iconic stuff.
  - Michael Sproul
    
    Yep, beautiful image, unfortunately for horrible reasons.
Paul N

Another 2nd to Sagan. I wonder when Sagan is going to time his sprint just right, so far he has been late starting his sprint but has been crossing the line faster than anyone else around him, so if he gets his start right….
- Ant
  
  Sagan looks like he’s worried about going too early and dragging others up with him. Maybe he’d rather get second place to someone further down the GC classification than risk missing out on a time bonus, his big goal being to wear yellow.
- jules
  
  Sagan won the sprint
  - Michele
    
    He’s won a couple of them now as well.
sket

Why was Martin without a lieutenant? Yellow jersey jostling for position, and Stybar in front of him didn’t even realise he went down!
- sps12321
  
  they were after the 3km mark so all he had to do was cross the line to keep the jersey. Was just racing to stay with the group. Guess they didn’t think a crash at that speed would be so bad.
- sps12321
  
  Stybar given free reign to go for the win. and at 800m to go no time for team to let him know what had happened
- Dave
  
  Because holding the yellow jersey was a secondary consideration for Etixx when they knew his lead was temporary, what they really want is stage wins.
  - Michele
    
    Etixx doing alright. Would not have been surprised to hear they’s won two stages in the opening 6 days of racing. Also wouldn’t have been surprised to hear Martin won one of them and spent some time in Yellow.
    
    A little surprising to see that both stages came from attacks in the dying kms of a stage.
    
    Cav nothing more than excess baggage at the moment.
    
    You’d think he’ll finally come good and grab a couple of wins. Also seen Etixx grabbing another victory through their opportunistic methods.
    
    They could end up with 4 or 5 wins with 3 or 4 different riders and a, albeit too short, stint in yellow.
Sean Doyle

Schteeeeeeee-baaaaaaah!!!!!
David

Are Saxo-Tinkoff required to wear alternate kit because of its likeness to the yellow jersey? If this is the case (please correct me if wrong), why are lottonl-jumbo still rocking their mostly yellow jersey. From the aerial shots all you see is yellow.
- Gordon
  
  My thoughts exactly. Back in the day Once had to go pink in the Giro.
  - Gordon
    
    Ooops try Tour, and yellow was OK for the Giro
- Dave
  
  Yes.
  
  Lotto-Jumbo have modified theirs, it has more white for the front-on view.
Robel

Daniel Teklehaimanot from Eritrea team MTN is an amazing rider, we Africans so proud to see like Dani boy on the top of tour de france,he is really King of mountains.go go go Dani make big History around the globe. Love you.
- Michele
  
  Would love to see that happen.