Dutchman Nijdam Wins Tour de France Stage

Dutchman Jelle Nijdam, winner of a Tour de France stage every year since 1987, did it again today by sprinting through the rain in Vittel, but Canadian Steve Bauer retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey.

The 26-year old Nijdam, who briefly wore the yellow jersey in 1987 when he won the prologue, burst through in the final stretch of the 126-mile sixth stage from Sarrebourg to beat Dane Jesper Skibby and Belgian Johan Museeuw at the finish.

Nijdam, the son of former world pursuit champion Henk Nijdam, who won Tour stages in 1964 and 1966, doubled his father’s tally in a time of 5 hours, 23 minutes and 56 seconds.

“I had been waiting for this since the beginning of the Tour, but I knew that my day would come,” Nijdam said.

The Dutchman’s success did not affect the overall standings as Bauer kept the lead, despite many challenges ahead of Saturday’s crucial 41-mile time trial from Vittel to Epinal.

The race started quietly but became more urgent in the 71st mile when Giro d’Italia winner Gianni Bugno led the pack for the first time in this Tour.

Defending champion Greg LeMond, favorite to win Saturday’s time trial, also decided to impress his opponents.

The only American ever to win cycling’s most prestigious title attacked 27 miles from the finish along with six other riders, including Dutchman Steven Rooks and France’s Charly Mottet, forcing Bauer to take up the chase.