Every Italian dreams of winning their national race, the Giro d’Italia, in front of the adoring tifosi. But the cyclists who wear the azzurri also have a long and storied history with the Tour de France. Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, Gastone Nencini, Felice Gimondi, and Marco Pantani, who pulled off the double in 1998, have all walked away from the streets of Paris wearing the maillot jaune.
In Ricardo Riccò (Saunier Duval – Scott), the winner of today’s 195.5km Stage 6 from Aigurande to Super Besse, Italy may just have their next campione del ciclismo.
Although the talented 24-year old has chosen to shy away from such comparisons early on in his career, his results may force him into the limelight sooner than latter. His recent effort in the Giro, where he finished second and a scant 1.57 to reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador (Astana), has the already excitable tifosi at near fever pitch.
In reality, with his energies not yet fully revitalized from his massive efforts in the Giro, a significant result in France may be too much to ask of the climbing specialist from Formigine.
But despite his best efforts to dismiss any and all speculation of his chances, Riccò’s first Tour stage win now has many anxiously a-waitin’ for him to have another go.
Results
1 Riccardo Riccò (Ita) Saunier Duval - Scott
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto
Kimmi In Yellow
With the first real mountain stage and an uphill finish in Super Besse, the overall classification was definitely shaken, but not stirred [that will come later in the high mountains].
Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle presented by H30) was the first of those high on the classification to grasp for the yellow tunic, but his surprise effort in the closing kilometers proved to be a case of too much too soon as he and Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval – Scott) were overtaken by the lead pack on the day’s final ascent.
As a result of his 5th placed finish on the day, Kim Kirchen (Columbia) collected the maillot jaune from Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner). Ironically, Schumacher’s valiant attempt to retain the jersey were thwarted when he went down after touching wheels with Kirchen in the finale.
Overall Classification After Stage 6
1 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto
3 Stefan Schumacher (Ger) Gerolsteiner
4 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
5 David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
6 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia
7 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
8 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
9 Stijn Devolder (Bel) Quick Step
10 Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
I Must Break You
With a time gap of a little over a minute between the two overwhelming favorites Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) and Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne), it remains to be seen how the gap will be diminished given there are no time bonuses this year.
With two full weeks remaining, it will be highly interesting to see whose will breaks first.
Next: Stage 7 - Friday, July 11: Brioude – Aurillac (159km). The profile looks deceptively a bit more forgiving than that of Stage 6, with a nice flat run in to the finish, but the final climb, the Pas de Peyrol may give the riders some fits. Another break may just be in order for the day.
More:
International Herald Tribune - Riccardo Ricco wins 6th stage of Tour de France, Kim Kirchen takes yellow
Cyclingnews - Riccò takes the stage, disaster for Schumacher
Velonews - Riccò wins atop Super-Besse
Photo: Jean-Paul Pelissier/Reuter
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