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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.
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The breakaways are now at km 110, holding a gap of 5'40. CSC is leading the
We also spoke to J
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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.
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This is a 5.7 km climb averaging 5.8% - definitely not as tough as the Faron.
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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
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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
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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
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Schleck and Voigt lead the peloton over the top of the climb, approximately
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Ludewig is the best placed on GC of the riders in the break, starting the day
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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,
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This quite a long descent off the Bourigaille, and that will help the break's
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Gilbert gets company from Kevin Hulsmans (Quick.Step), who will be a very useful
Commesso has set off after Hulsmans and Gilbert.
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Commesso has got a bit of a gap, but he'll have to work to get Hulsmans and
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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
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The peloton is now 4'17 behind Ludewig, who could well be en route to a stage
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Ludewig has got the aero position happening as he exits the main road and goes
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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
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Ludewig is still on his way downhill as the bunch exits the main road, some
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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
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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
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Posthuma is catching Ludewig at a very fast rate. He looks back and sees he
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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.
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Ludewig moves to the front to take the points on the climb, which will give
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Jose Angel Gomez attacks , but Voigt just pedals a bit harder and he's caught.
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The situation on the descent: Joerg Ludewig (Domina Vacanze), Joost Posthuma
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The results of the Tanneron: 1 Joost Posthuma, 2 J
Sanchez is caught by the peloton.
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Kirchen is leading the peloton on the descent, as Ludewig closes the gap to
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Ludewig can't quite close the gap to the Dutchman at the bottom! Posthuma doesn't
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It's a pursuit match on the flat. Posthuma keeps looking back - no point doing
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The peloton is at 2'48. No chance of getting Posthuma, who is still alone with
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In between the two leaders and the bunch, we still have Cyril Dessel (Ag2r),
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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
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The race is between Posthuma and Ludewig. The Dutchman looks back and sees that
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Schleck and Voigt are doing most of the work in front of the peloton. Quick.Step
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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.
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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.
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Posthuma is riding at over 60 km/h! It's a strong tailwind, but still - not
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Posthuma makes sure, looking back again as he motors along in his big gear.
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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
