July 7, 2005 – Lorenzo Bernucci (Fassa Bortolo) has taken the sixth stage today over Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) from Troyes to Nancy, a 199 km race that ended in a massive crash due to the wet conditions. The peloton was delayed slightly, meaning Discovery’s Lance Armstrong lost a few seconds to Vino in the finale.

Another heartbreaker was that of Christophe Mengin (Francais de Jeux) who crashed in the final metres after riding brilliantly through the sloppy corners. Despite the marred finish, Armstrong stays in Yellow and Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) – who finished off the back, along with Robbie McEwan (Lotto) – will keep the Green. Karsten Kroon (Rabobank) inherits the Polka Dots from his teammate Erik Dekker.

Stage 6

1. Lorenzo Bernucci (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 4.12.52 (47.218 km/h)
2. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile Team 0.03
3. Robert Förster (Ger) Gerolsteiner 0.07
4. Angelo Furlan (Ita) Domina Vacanze
5. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole
6. Kim Kirchen (Lux) Fassa Bortolo
7. Gianluca Bortolami (Ita) Lampre-Caffita
8. Egoi Martinez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
9. Gerrit Glomser (Aut) Lampre-Caffita
10. Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Nor) CSC

G.C.

1. Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel 17.58.23
2. George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel 0.55
3. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC 1.04
4. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile Team 1.05
5. Bobby Julich (USA) Team CSC 1.07
6. Jose Luis Rubiera (Spa) Discovery Channel 1.14
7. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel 1.16
8. Benjamin Noval (Spa) Discovery Channel 1.26
9. David Zabriskie (USA) Team CSC
10. Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC