The biggest challenge in today’s 176.5 km long sixth stage of the Tour de France between Aix en Provence to Montpellier was not climbs but the mistral wind that blew at 67 meters per second in the last half of the route. So it was not just a simple transport stage, but a hectic day where the battle was intense and fiery. For long periods of the stage Team Saxo-Tinkoff sat at the forefront of the sidewind to keep captain, Alberto Contador out of trouble.
On the last kilometer several riders showed signs of overexertion when the field was torn to pieces. In the wild bunch sprint was André Greipel (Lotto-BELISOL) the strongest ahead of Peter Sagan (Canondale) and Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano).
Saxo-Tinkoff’s Fabrizio Guidi was pleased with the team’s effort: “It was a tough stage, which on paper seems very affordable, but the wind and the extreme nervousness made the stage dangerous and fast. We took the front several times and we kept all the guys up to avoid crashes. Benjamin Noval is improving, and he was able to help his teammates, and I believe he comes through the race. Tomorrow, another sprinter stage where we need to keep us in front and prevent accidents before Saturday’s mountain stage, “said frs Team Saxo-Tinkoff’s Fabrizio Guidi. Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEDGE) took the lead in the overall standings.
