cycling: Critérium du Dauphiné stage #6: Fuglsang in the photo finish in front of Porte

Cycling: Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) won the 6th stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné. In the sprint of a group of four, the Dane prevailed in front of Richie Porte (BMC) and Chris Froome (Sky). Richie Porte takes over the yellow jersey from Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal), who was unable to follow on the final climb.

The steep Mont du Chat

Even though four stages of the Critérium du Dauphiné have already been completed, the tour should somehow start all over again today. After all, three tough mountain stages were on the program at the end. The 147,5 kilometer section from Parc des Oiseaux Villars-les-Dombes to La Motte-Servolex made the start today. The focus was on the Mont du Chat, which had to be negotiated at the end of the stage. With a length of 8,7 kilometers and an average gradient of 10,3 percent, the wheat should be separated from the chaff here. Before that, however, six men got up and away: In addition to the German Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin), Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data), Alberto Bettiol (Cannondale-Drapac), Oliver Naesen (Ag2r), Anthony Turgis (Cofidis) and Thierry Hupond (Delko Marseille Provence KTM) set off the field after nine kilometers. However, when the Mont du Chat started with 25 kilometers to go, their lead was only three minutes. That shouldn't be enough. Gradually, the escapees were caught by the strongest climbers and then passed through.

Photo finish decides on the stage winner - Porte in yellow

Up the Mont du Chat, the man in the yellow jersey, Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) ran into trouble relatively early. It quickly became clear that the Belgian would lose his overall lead today. At the latest after an attack by Fabio Aru (Astana), the group of favorites was pulverized. Chis Froome (Sky) also had his problems, but we've often seen him take it easy at first and then catch up later. It was the same this time. The Brit was able to keep the gap within limits and caught up with Aru on the descent together with Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) and Richie Porte (BMC). Froome then tried to break away from his companions. Although they initially lost a few meters, they were able to reconnect. The four professionals sprinted, which Fuglsang won in the photo finish just ahead of Porte. The Australian won't have been too upset though as he was allowed to don the yellow jersey. The German Emanuel Buchmann (Bora-hansgrohe) was strong again today and finished tenth. In the overall standings, he improved to eighth place.

Final result Critérium du Dauphiné 2017 Stage #6

2017 Critérium du Dauphine overall standings after stage #6