Today’s seventh stage is similar to Thursday’s -- 98.8 miles from Brioude to Aurillac. There are eight climbs, including two category two ascents:
A review of what happened Thursday and a look at what to expect in today’s stage:
Thursday’s stage: The riders entered the mountains for the first time on a 121.5-mile trek through the Massif Central from Aigurande to Super-Besse.
Winner: Italian rider Riccardo Ricco, the Giro d’Italia runner-up, beat Alejandro Valverde of Spain and Cadel Evans of Australia in a mountaintop finish.
Yellow jersey: Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg took the yellow jersey from Germany’s Stefan Schumacher, who fell yards from the finish line.
Quote of the day: “I’m in great shape. . . . Everything is possible.” -- Kirchen, seventh overall at last year’s Tour, feeling confident about his chances this year.
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STAGE 6 RESULTS
*--* 1. Riccardo Ricco, Italy: 4:57:52 2. Alejandro Valverde, Spain: 0:01 behind 3. Cadel Evans, Australia: same time 4. Frank Schleck, Luxembourg: 0:04 behind 5. Kim Kirchen, Luxembourg: same time *--*
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OVERALL STANDINGS
*--* 1. Kim Kirchen, Luxembourg: 24:30:41 2. Cadel Evans, Australia: 0:06 behind 3. Stefan Schumacher, Germany: 0:16 behind 4. Christian Vandevelde, U.S.: 0:44 behind 5. David Millar, Britain: 0:47 behind *--*