CyclingRevealed's First Impressions '05

Stage 6 - Troyes to Nancy, 199 km

Déjà vu; Lance's Loyal Guard

Yet another day dominated by a long break and the inevitable bunch sprint finish. However the weather had something to say about today's script. Coming into Troyes on rain soaked roads a sharp right hand bend leading to the final finishing straight put paid to many hopes for a stage victory. Christophe Mengin (Cofidis) was the last surviving member of the daylong break. With the bunch just a few meters behind him he launched himself into the final bend hoping to win in his home town. A touch of the brakes and he slid sideways into the straw bales. Seconds later half the bunch joined him on the deck. Lorenzo Bernucci (Fassa Bortolo) managed to avoid the carnage as did Alex Vinokourov who was about 100 meters behind him. They finished in that order.

Déjà vu: Caped crusaders Hincapie and Armstrong [ Image ©: CyclingRevealed.com ]

We have seen such situations before and Armstrong manages to avoid getting caught up. Déjà vu played its role again and he was seen cruising over the line unscathed. Luck? Maybe, but Armstrong consistently manages to avoid trouble. The combination of his alert teammates and his own bike handling skills no doubt keep him out of trouble.

During the long and very fast stage we again saw George Hincapie in his habitual position leading Lance. Last year I was in rain soaked Huy in Belgium. The photograph that I took that day reflects exactly the same image that we saw today as they endured the elements in their rain capes. It would appear that déjà vu is a team strategy.

Additional Stage Notes: Conserving energy is a critical job skill for any rider hoping to survive a three-week Grand Tour. A great example of this skill in action was seen today. Jan Kirsipuu dropped back from his break companions to replenish his food and drink supplies. Now about twelve official and team cars back, the camera followed Kirsipuu as he skillfully ‘car surfed' his way back to the front. Minimum effort, maximum result. Little demonstrations like this appear every day in many different ways. Don't miss them!

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