63rd Paris-Nice - ProTour 2005: Stage 6

Welcome back to Cyclingnews for the sixth and penultimate stage of Paris-Nice.

It's been a fairly simple stage so far, with 149 riders starting in La Crau.

110km remaining from 135km

The breakaways are now at km 110, holding a gap of 5'40. CSC is leading the

We also spoke to J

124km remaining from 135km

Posthuma is leading on the Cat. 1 Col de Bourigaille as suddenly Joerg Ludewig

The rider in trouble is Fabien Sanchez, who is trying to get back to the break.

125km remaining from 135km

This is a 5.7 km climb averaging 5.8% - definitely not as tough as the Faron.

126km remaining from 135km

Aaron Kemps (Liberty) takes a turn in the break, which is still rotating quite

We spoke to Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears) this morning, who - as always

There's an attack in the peloton - it's Tom Danielson (Discovery Channel). He

Danielson is joined by a Saunier rider and Schleck from CSC. The three have

Danielson continues to pound the pedals, as a Credit Agricole rider (Kashechkin)

Danielson looks back and attacks again. There is an immediate reaction this

128km remaining from 135km

The gap is approximately four minutes between the break and the peloton, which

The break is nearly at the top of the climb, still all together. It's a lot

131km remaining from 135km

Ludewig takes the points on the Cat. 1 Bourigaille, followed by Dessel.

Danielson reaches the flatter part near the top of the climb, and slowly opens

133km remaining from 135km

Schleck and Voigt lead the peloton over the top of the climb, approximately

135km remaining from 135km

Ludewig is the best placed on GC of the riders in the break, starting the day

139km remaining from 135km

Four CSC riders lead the peloton on the descent, around 3'30 behind the break.

The full results of the Col de Bourigaille: 1 Joerg Ludwig, 2 Cyril Dessel,

142km remaining from 135km

This quite a long descent off the Bourigaille, and that will help the break's

144km remaining from 135km

Gilbert gets company from Kevin Hulsmans (Quick.Step), who will be a very useful

Commesso has set off after Hulsmans and Gilbert.

147km remaining from 135km

Commesso has got a bit of a gap, but he'll have to work to get Hulsmans and

151km remaining from 135km

Commesso comes back to the bunch, which has the CSC train riding hard on the

Ludewig has attacked on a little climb. He's got a good gap - he's really strong

153km remaining from 135km

The peloton is now 4'17 behind Ludewig, who could well be en route to a stage

154km remaining from 135km

Ludewig has got the aero position happening as he exits the main road and goes

156km remaining from 135km

The CSC team is disinterested in chasing. One of the Cofidis riders gets on

Ludewig is really flying along, resting his forearms on the tops of the handlebars

158km remaining from 135km

Ludewig is still on his way downhill as the bunch exits the main road, some

160km remaining from 135km

The rest of the seven man break is on the Tanneron now. Gilbert and Hulsmans

The rest of the break is still working well together, as they have a chance

161km remaining from 135km

Immediately, and predictably, one of the Saunier riders attacks. Kashechkin

Kashechkin looks OK, but's not really getting away from Voigt.

Posthuma and Dessel accelerate from the first chase group in pursuit of Ludewig.

Back with Joerg Ludewig, who is getting cheered on by a thin crowd on the slopes

162km remaining from 135km

Posthuma is catching Ludewig at a very fast rate. He looks back and sees he

164km remaining from 135km

It looks like Saunier's Joaquim Rodriguez is the main man attacking the peloton.

Cyril Dessel is third on the road, chasing the two leaders alone.

165km remaining from 135km

Ludewig moves to the front to take the points on the climb, which will give

166km remaining from 135km

Jose Angel Gomez attacks , but Voigt just pedals a bit harder and he's caught.

167km remaining from 135km

The situation on the descent: Joerg Ludewig (Domina Vacanze), Joost Posthuma

170km remaining from 135km

The results of the Tanneron: 1 Joost Posthuma, 2 J

Sanchez is caught by the peloton.

172km remaining from 135km

Kirchen is leading the peloton on the descent, as Ludewig closes the gap to

173km remaining from 135km

Ludewig can't quite close the gap to the Dutchman at the bottom! Posthuma doesn't

174km remaining from 135km

It's a pursuit match on the flat. Posthuma keeps looking back - no point doing

174km remaining from 135km

The peloton is at 2'48. No chance of getting Posthuma, who is still alone with

9km remaining from 135km

In between the two leaders and the bunch, we still have Cyril Dessel (Ag2r),

176km remaining from 135km

CSC is back on the front of the bunch, riding a steady tempo. No point in destroying

Posthuma is motoring along into Cannes, assisted by a tailwind. He has 8 km

177km remaining from 135km

The race is between Posthuma and Ludewig. The Dutchman looks back and sees that

178km remaining from 135km

Schleck and Voigt are doing most of the work in front of the peloton. Quick.Step

179km remaining from 135km

Joerg Ludewig is giving it everything, but he's going for second place. Posthuma

Ludewig is now at 35 seconds. It's over for him.

181km remaining from 135km

Posthuma is now riding along the beach front, being encouraged by his team director.

Posthuma looks back yet again - there's no-one, except Ludewig about 500m behind.

182km remaining from 135km

Posthuma is riding at over 60 km/h! It's a strong tailwind, but still - not

183km remaining from 135km

Posthuma makes sure, looking back again as he motors along in his big gear.

184km remaining from 135km

Joost Posthuma (Rabobank) is the man of the day. He bridged up to Ludewig on

Ludewig takes second at 1'10 - still a fine ride. Kemps (he was there!) takes