Tour de France : Another Dutch Cyclist, Nijdam, Takes Lead After 6th Stage

Jelle Nijdam became the third Dutch rider in as many days to lead the Tour de France Friday as Britain’s Sean Yates won the 32-mile time trial.

After six stages, Nijdam was one second ahead of Steve Bauer of Canada.

Nijdam finished fourth Friday in the time trial from Lievin to Wasquehal, which Yates won in 1 hour 3 minutes 22 seconds, with Italy’s Roberto Visentini following 14 seconds behind.

Swiss rider Toni Rominger placed third, 23 seconds back, and Nijdam, Thursday’s fifth stage winner, was 41 seconds behind the winner.

Nijdam moved into the overall lead from the 10th spot he held Thursday. The Superconfex team member took the yellow jersey, denoting the top position, from another Dutchman, Henk Lubberding. Another cyclist from the Netherlands, Teun Van Vliet, led from Monday to Wedensday.

Ireland’s Sean Kelly and France’s Jean-Francois Bernard, who had been expected to do well in the time trial, trailed far behind. Kelly finished 1:56 behind the winner; Bernard was 1:14 back.

Andrew Hampsten of Boulder, Colo., was the top American overall, in 49th place, 2:38 behind the leader.

Today’s stage is a 139-mile leg from Wasquehal to Reims. The race, a 2,036-mile journeyaround France, continues through July 24.