Stage six of the Race to the Sun ended with the same winner as stage five had produced. The result was different though. Carlos Betancur (Ag2R-La Mondiale) found himself in his element after 221 kilometers on the steep climb in Fayence and not only relegated the reigning world champion Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) and Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) to the places, he took over also the overall lead of Geraint Thomas (Sky), who finished fourth on the day.
The stage was characterized by an escape group in which Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), Sylvain Chavanel (IAM) and Pim Ligthart (Lotto Belisol) were the most well-known drivers, but initially also included a German driver, Michel Koch (Cannondale). The group broke up with just under 25 kilometers to go when Chavanel increased the pace on the climb to Fayence. His attack was followed by the reaction of the field. Above all, Fabian Wegmann (Garmin Sharp), who set the pace for his captain Tom Jelte Slagter, showed himself here.
After Chavanel was also provided, Sky initially took over the management work. Astana was also active, but their captain Vincenzo Nibali is still a bit away from his top form. Because when Alexis Vouillermoz (Ag2R-La Mondiale) attacked in the final, Nibali had nothing to counter. Anders Slagter, Betancur and Costa who neutralized the Frenchman's attack.
In the last kilometer, Vouillermoz fell in a hairpin turn, paving the way for Costa to attack. This seemed to be successful at first. However, Betancur was able to intercept the Portuguese in the last hundred meters. Slagter, on the other hand, was unlucky. A technical defect slowed him down.
Result
1. Carlos Alberto Betancur (Ag2R-La Mondiale) 5:12:11
2. Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) 0:00:00
3. Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) 0:00:03
4. Geraint Thomas (Sky) 0:00:03
5. Arthur Vichot (FDJ.fr) 0:00:03
Total
1. Carlos Alberto Betancur (Ag2R-La Mondiale) 27:04:48
2. Geraint Thomas (Sky) 0:00:08
3. Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) 0:00:18
4. Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) 0:00:22
5. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) 0:00:24