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61st Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré - ProT
France, June 7-14, 2009
Main Page Results & report Stage Details Previous Stage Next Stage
Stage 6 - June 12: June 12: Gap - Briançon, 106km
Live commentary by Gregor Brown
14:57 CEST
Welcome back to Cyclingnews' coverage of the Dauphiné Libéré stage race. Yesterday, Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) put down the hammer to distance Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) and other favourites to take over the leader's jersey. His escape companion, Sylvester Szmyd (Liquigas), took the stage glory.
Valverde will defend his lead today and try to put more time into his rivals. The riders face a short stage of 106 kilometres from Gap to Briançon.
14:58 CEST 57.5km/48.5km to go
We have an escape group of 14 with 5:12 on the peloton. The race is heading up the Izoard.
14:59 CEST 59km/47km to go
Garate (Rabobank), Verdugo (Euskaltel), Goubert (AG2R), Vaugrenard, Fernandez (Cofidis), Van de Walle (Quick Step), Tuft (Garmin), Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues), Santambrogio (Lampre), Steegmans (Team Katusha), Zberg (BMC), Kuschynski (Liquigas), Fernandez (Fuji Servetto) and Bak (Team Saxo Bank) are the 14.
Valverde's team leads to the base of the Col d'Izoard.
15:06 CEST
Lars Bak (Saxo Bank) is the highest place rider in the group, at nine minutes back from Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne).
15:08 CEST 65km/41km to go
The riders pass through a tunnel on part of this rocky climb. It is really beautiful scenery.
We catch a glimpse of Valverde's yellow jersey in the pack. Remember, he won the race last year and will want to repeat this year to show strong in front of the Tour de France organisers, who don't want to have him to his race.
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15:09 CEST
"I made an important step towards the overall win," said Valverde yesterday. "This morning I was 1:54 down, and now I'm 16 seconds ahead. I'll try to resist until the end.
"To win the Dauphiné is important for me and for my team. I still hope to ride the Tour de France but the decision isn't in my hands. The less I think of it, the more I can focus on this race."
15:12 CEST
Astana rides behind Valverde's Caisse team in the peloton. The riders are drinking water to make it through the day.
The Izoard climbs up to 2360 metres.
15:12 CEST
Valverde is completely in the role of race leader, yellow shorts to match the yellow top.
15:12 CEST
Thanks for those e-mails and posts on the forum. Please keep them coming.
15:19 CEST 72.1km/33.9km to go
The Izoard is about to officially start.
How long will Gert Steegmans (Katusha), a sprinter, last? The climb could be too much for the Tour de France stage winner.
Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step) is at the front of the escape right now.
The gap is 5:10 to the peloton.
15:26 CEST 75.4km/30.6km to go
It is hard to miss Valverde in this group of riders. The all yellow kit stands out well.
The 14-man lead group is getting aggressive. Gert Steegmans (Katusha) attacks!
15:28 CEST
He may be trying to make a statement for his team. Katusha and Fuji were the only two ProTour teams not invited to the Vuelta a España.
The organiser selected its teams today. The full list of participating teams is AG2R La Mondiale, Andalucía Cajasur, Astana, Bbox Bouygues Telecom, Caisse d´Epargne, Cervélo TestTeam, Cofidis, Contentpolis-Ampo, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Française Des Jeux, Garmin-Slipstream, Lampre-NGC, Liquigas, Quick-Step, Rabobank, Silence-Lotto, Columbia-Highroad, Milram, Saxo Bank, Vacansoleil and Xacobeo Galicia.
There are 16 ProTour teams. The five Professional Continental teams invited are Andalucía Cajasur, Cervélo TestTeam, Contentpolis-Ampo, Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team and Xacobeo Galicia.
15:30 CEST 76km/30km to go
Marcus Zberg (BMC Racing Team) is trying to bridge to Steegmans.
A reminder on the members 14-man move:
Juan Manuel Gárate (Rabobank), Gorka Verdugo (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Stéphane Goubert (AG2R La Mondiale), Benoît Vaugrenard (Française des Jeux), Bingen Fernández (Cofidis), Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step), Svein Tuft (Garmin-Slipstream), Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Mauro Santambrogio (Lampre-NGC), Gert Steegmans (Katusha), Marcus Zberg (BMC Racing Team), Aleksandr Kuschynski (Liquigas), Alberto Fernández De La Puebla (Fuji-Servetto) and Lars Bak (Saxo Bank)
They went free around 17 kilometres into the day.
15:30 CEST
Zberg catches Steegmans.
Caisse still leads the peloton for Valverde.
15:32 CEST
Swiss Marcus Zberg (BMC Racing Team) drops Gert Steegmans (Katusha). The escape group pulls him back.
Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step) tries his luck.
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15:33 CEST
Zberg is clearly Swiss with the national champion's jersey on this back -- a white cross on the red background. He now has a Belgian, Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step), for company.
15:35 CEST 78.2km/27.8km to go
The duo has about 40 seconds on the other 12 riders.
15:39 CEST 79.1km/26.9km to go
Yesterday, Contador stuck to Evans' wheel and today it is Valverde's wheel.
"I will continue to try and not whip myself too much in this race," Alberto Contador (Astana) said after yesterday's stage. "To do as well as possible, like today [yesterday], but without wasting more energy than necessary."
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15:41 CEST
We see Daniel Martin (Garmin-Slipstream) riding near the front. He finished eight minutes down yesterday.
"He was not feeling well today, perhaps hypoglycemia [deficiency of sugar in the blood - ed.]," said Garmin's team director, Lionel Marie.
15:42 CEST 79.9km/26.1km to go
Juan Manuel Gárate (Rabobank) and Stéphane Goubert (AG2R La Mondiale) are with Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step).
15:46 CEST 80.8km/25.2km to go
Lars Bak (Saxo Bank) and Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) are on their own, trying to bridge to the leaders.
The leaders are Gorka Verdugo (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Stéphane Goubert (AG2R La Mondiale), Juan Manuel Gárate (Rabobank), Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step), Marcus Zberg (BMC Racing Team). But we have not seen Zberg in a while.
The gap is 5:21.
15:49 CEST 81.2km/24.8km to go
Yes, Marcus Zberg (BMC Racing Team), went out the back door.
The leaders are Lars Bak (Saxo Bank), Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Stéphane Goubert (AG2R La Mondiale), Juan Manuel Gárate (Rabobank) and Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step).
Bak is suffering.
15:51 CEST
Lars Bak (Saxo Bank) slides out the back.
15:51 CEST 82.1km/23.9km to go
In the main pack a Fuji and Euskaltel rider attack. The Euskaltel rider started it.
15:53 CEST
It is Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) leading the charge. Fabrice Piemontesi (Fuji) is chasing.
15:53 CEST
Don't forget, Brit David Millar (Garmin-Slipstream) is going like a mountain goat. He is with favourites group and climbing well.
15:54 CEST 83km/23km to go
Our four leaders are Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Stéphane Goubert (AG2R La Mondiale), Juan Manuel Gárate (Rabobank) and Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step).
15:55 CEST 83.5km/22.5km to go
Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) looks strong. He powers solo and should catch the 10 escapees behind the front four.
15:57 CEST
There are 20 kilometres after the top of Izoard. The majority is downhill, but the final is a kick up to Briançon.
15:57 CEST
We are two km from the top of Izoard.
15:58 CEST 84.3km/21.7km to go
Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) catches Gert Steegmans (Katusha).
The Belgian has a big smile on his face. He fades towards the main group of favourites.
15:59 CEST
The front four are near the top. 1500m left to go. Snow lines the road for Juan Manuel Gárate (Rabobank) and Co.
15:59 CEST 84.8km/21.2km to go
David Moncoutié (Cofidis) launches out of the Caisse-led group.
16:00 CEST
Stéphane Goubert (AG2R La Mondiale) leads the four. Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) takes over.
16:00 CEST 85km/21km to go
They have 1km to climb.
16:01 CEST
Jurgen Van de Walle's head is bobbing, he appears to be in pain.
16:03 CEST
Aussie fans will remember that Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) is a past winner of the Tour Down Under. He rode for AG2R when he won in 2003.
16:04 CEST 85.8km/20.2km to go
Garate looks smooth. He stands on his pedals every now and then to give his legs a stretch.
He won a stage in the 2006 Giro d'Italia as the Spanish Champion.
Race leader, Valverde, is the current Spanish Champion.
16:05 CEST 86.3km/19.7km to go
They have a bit of a wind up here. If the wind does not get our leaders than Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) might.
Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) is catching Benoît Vaugrenard (Française des Jeux).
16:07 CEST 86.5km/19.5km to go
Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) goes over Izoard first. Juan Manuel Gárate (Rabobank), Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step) and Stéphane Goubert (AG2R La Mondiale) follow.
16:07 CEST
The roads are dry for the leaders. Belgium's Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step) leads the charge downhill.
16:08 CEST
Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) nears the top of the climb. He is now catching Svein Tuft (Garmin-Slipstream), better known for his TT rides than his mountain days.
16:08 CEST
The original escape group is shattered.
16:09 CEST
Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) is 3:50 back on the front four.
16:09 CEST
He goes over the top of the Izoard.
16:10 CEST 88.8km/17.2km to go
The front four lead by 5:01 on the favourites.
16:11 CEST
Daniel Martin (Garmin-Slipstream) and David Millar (Garmin-Slipstream) are near the front of the group, they cross Izoard's top at 4:57 back.
16:12 CEST
Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) has his guns blazing down Izoard's back side. He can forget about braking if he wants to catch the four leaders.
16:15 CEST
Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) catches Marcus Zberg (BMC Racing Team). The Basque is determined, however, it seems impossible for him to catch the leaders.
16:15 CEST
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) will be going down the mountain a little slower, he is not known as the best descender of the bunch.
Race leader Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) leads the group.
16:16 CEST 95km/11km to go
Who will win the stage?
16:18 CEST
Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) may not catch the four leaders, but he will move up the classification. He is 2:44 behind Valverde, 10 seconds behind Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) and Robert Gesink (Rabobank).
16:19 CEST
Wait! Lars Bak (Saxo Bank) made his way back up the front four riders. That is a great bit of descending by him.
16:21 CEST
Lars Bak (Saxo Bank) prompts moment. Juan Manuel Gárate (Rabobank) attacks.
16:22 CEST
Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Marcus Zberg (BMC Racing Team) are working together.
16:23 CEST 102km/4km to go
We have only 4km left to race. The last metres of the climb are uphill.
16:24 CEST 102.8km/3.2km to go
The four pull back Garate.
Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Marcus Zberg (BMC Racing Team) pull Gorka Verdugo (Euskaltel-Euskadi) back.
16:25 CEST
Are five leaders are Lars Bak (Saxo Bank), Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Stéphane Goubert (AG2R La Mondiale), Juan Manuel Gárate (Rabobank) and Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step).
16:25 CEST 104km/2km to go
Two km left. Who will win?
16:26 CEST
Lars Bak (Saxo Bank) is the danger man.
16:26 CEST
Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step) just went free for the final 1km.
16:27 CEST
Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step) is suffering.
16:27 CEST
Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step) is suffering.
16:27 CEST 105km/1km to go
Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step) starts the final km.
16:27 CEST
It is all uphill here.
16:28 CEST
Stéphane Goubert (AG2R La Mondiale) tries to close to Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step).
16:28 CEST
He has few metres on the other three.
16:28 CEST
Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) leads the three.
16:29 CEST
They pass the door into the city of Briançon. Watch out for Garate.
16:29 CEST
Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step) still holds.
16:29 CEST
Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) rides clear of Garate in the city centre.
16:30 CEST
The Belgian, Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step), keeps pumping along. Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) joins him.
16:30 CEST
Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) takes the win.
16:31 CEST
Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step) held for second ahead of Stéphane Goubert (AG2R La Mondiale) and Juan Manuel Gárate (Rabobank). Lars Bak (Saxo Bank) finishes a little way back.
16:33 CEST
Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) rides to the finish line.
Alberto Contador (Astana) attacks Valverde.
16:33 CEST
Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) finishes 3:16 down.
16:34 CEST
Piemontesi finishes.
Next is Marcus Zberg (BMC Racing Team).
16:35 CEST
Contador, Valverde and Evans finish together at 4:13 behind Pierrick Fédrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom). Robert Gesink (Rabobank) next. Then Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) and David Millar (Garmin-Slipstream).
16:35 CEST
Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel-Euskadi) gained around 57 seconds in the general classification.
16:40 CEST
A great win from the escape group by Frenchman Pierrick Fédrigo. Besides Mikel Astarloza's move to fourth overall, the classification stayed the same. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) leads over Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) and Alberto Contador (Astana).
16:40 CEST
Thanks for joining us today. Please come back again this weekend for the final two stages.
Results
Provisional 1 Pierrick Fédrigo (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom 2 Jurgen Van de Walle (Bel) Quick Step 3 Stéphane Goubert (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 4 Juan Manuel Gárate (Spa) Rabobank 5 Lars Bak (Den) Saxo Bank General classification after stage 6 1 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto 3 Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana
