André Greipel wins Giro d'Italia stage six sprint finish
German powered ahead of his rivals after a long and controlled leadout from his Lotto-Soudal teammates, while race leader Alberto Contador was caught up in a crash in the final straight
André Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) sprinted to a third career Giro d'Italia stage win on stage six of the 2015 race, after a controlled leadout by his Lotto-Soudal teammates.
On a day lacking in action through much of the duration, the final kilometre saw not only the German beat sprint rivals Matteo Pelucchi (IAM Cycling) and Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) to victory, but also a huge crash.
Race leader Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) was caught up in the incident, but was awarded the same time as the winner by virtue of the crash coming within the last 3km. Worryingly, the Spaniard appeared to be sporting injury to his left arm or collarbone while on the podium, and refused to put on the maglia rosa because of it.
>>> Alberto Contador suffers suspected broken collarbone in Giro d’Italia crash
Stage six's biggest talking point however, was the gruesome arm injury to Nippo-Vini Fantini rider Daniele Colli, which marred an otherwise quiet stage.
The day's break, which contained Alan Marangoni (Cannondale-Garmin), Marco Bandiera (Androni-Sidermec), Marek Rutkiewicz (CCC), Alessandro Malaguti (Nippo-Vini Fantini), Eduard Michael Grosu (Nippo-Vini Fantini), formed within the first 20km of the race max gap of 4-20.
The peloton always seemed in control though, and the break was eventually pulled back in with around 13km remaining.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
It was then over to the sprinter's teams to begin controlling proceedings, and it was the Belgian Lotto team who looked dominant, sitting on the front for the final 3km to lead Greipel perfectly to his first stage win at this year's race.
Friday's stage is the longest of the Giro. At 263km, it looks almost ideal for sprinters until the climb right at the finish, which lends itself to puncheurs or the less pure sprinters.
Giro d’Italia 2015, stage six: Montecatini Terme to Castiglione della Pescaia, 183km
1. André Greipel (Ger) Lotto-Soudal, in 4-19-42
2. Matteo Pelucchi (Ita) IAM Cycling
3. Sacha Modolo (Ita) Lampre-Merida
4. Manuel Belletti (Ita) Southeast
5. Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Trek Factory Racing
6. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Southeast
7. Elia Viviani (Ita) Team Sky
8. Luka Mezgec (Slo) Giant-Alpecin
9. Nicola Ruffoni (Ita) Bardiani-CSF
10. Davide Apollonio (Ita) Androni Giocattoli - Sidermec, all same time
Overall classification after stage six
1. Alberto Contador (Esp) Tinkoff-Saxo, in 20-25-43
2. Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana, at 2 seconds
3. Richie Porte (Aus) Team Sky, at 20 seconds
4. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Tinkoff-Saxo, at 22 seconds
5. Dario Cataldo (Ita) Astana, at 28 seconds
6. Esteban Chaves (Col) Orica-GreenEdge, at 37 seconds
7. Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Movistar, at 56 seconds
8. Mikel Landa (Esp) Astana, at 1-01
9. Davide Formolo (Ita) Cannondale-Garmin, at 1-15
10. Andrey Amador (Crc) Movistar, at 1-18
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Cobbles to the sky: The day I conquered the mighty Gotthard Pass from both sides
As part of our summit baggers issue for CW's travel month, Tom Davidson travelled to the Swiss Alps to take on one of cycling's most unique climbs
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Is aero important when riding gravel?
While seeking aerodynamic improvement is regarded as conventional wisdom on the road, should the same apply to gravel racing?
By Andy Turner Published
-
‘Current WorldTour system is killing all the smaller teams,’ says Reinardt Janse van Rensburg
South African ex-Lotto Soudal rider fears more teams could find themselves in B & B Hotels-KTM situation if the system doesn’t change
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Caleb Ewan ‘not going anywhere’ after team's relegation, says Lotto-Soudal
Spokesperson for Belgian team says that Ewan has expressed desire to stay and lead the team in 2023
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It's not been a great Tour for the sprinters’ - Caleb Ewan rues bad luck at the Tour de France after heavy crash on stage 13
Lotto Soudal sprinter involved in nasty crash with a teammate midway through stage into Saint-Étienne
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Van Vleuten confirms her third Giro Donne victory
The Dutch rider finishes safely in the bunch while Chiara Consonni takes the final stage
By Owen Rogers Published
-
'I’m still having to pinch myself a little bit, what a ride!' : Reinardt Janse van Rensburg’s journey to a sixth Tour de France
The 33 year old South African rider feared his career was over before Lotto Soudal came calling.
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
André Greipel: WorldTour relegation system 'totally bulls**t'
The former pro cyclist talks UCI points, watching cycling as a fan, and the lack of sprint opportunities at the Tour de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
Lotto Soudal pins Tour de France hopes on 'one of the fastest riders of the peloton', Caleb Ewan
Caleb Ewan, Philippe Gilbert, Andreas Kron and Tim Wellens all make the team's Tour de France lineup
By Tom Thewlis Published
-