Race favorites avoid crash in slippery 6th stage of Tour

Lisieux, France— Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway led a sprint to win the rain-splattered sixth stage of the Tour de France and his countryman Thor Hushovd retained the yellow jersey yesterday.

Race favorites like Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck were just happy to stay out of trouble.

The pack battled both slippery roads and brisk winds over the hilly 226.5-kilometer (141-mile) ride across northwest France from Dinan to Lisieux in Normandy — the longest stage in the race this year.

Hagen, a sprint specialist with Team Sky, whizzed out of the barreling pack with about 200 meters left and held on, jutting his arms in the air as he crossed the line for his first Tour stage victory.

“I really surprised myself,” Hagen said. “Lots of people say that I’m a talented guy, so it’s nice to show it by winning a stage.”

Matt Goss of Australia was second, and Hushovd third.

Referring to his compatriot Hushovd, who has twice taken home the Tour’s green jersey awarded to the best sprinter, Hagen said: “I want to be as good as him — or better.”

Philippe Gilbert of Belgium, who won Saturday’s 1st stage, said “everyone was a bit out of breath” and that Hagen “devoured the last 150 meters — he’s impossible to catch when he’s like that.”

Hushovd reveled in his country’s success on Thursday.

“Not bad, after all — it’s a good day for Norway,” said the Garmin-Cervelo veteran, who retained the yellow jersey for a fifth consecutive day. As for Hagen, he said: “Clearly he’s got a big future.”

Overall, Hushovd retained a one-second lead from Cadel Evans of Australia, while Frank Schleck of Luxembourg is third, four seconds back. Three-time champion Contador, who lost time in a Stage 1 crash, sits 34th overall, 1:42 behind.

Blustery conditions increased the danger, and Contador was relieved to avoid crashing again like he did on Wednesday.

Hushovd and his team appeared to be wearying of the hard work of protecting the yellow jersey, which involves riding in the front to keep the race leader out of potential trouble.

A string of breakaway riders sought to get a leg up but the pack eventually reeled them all in — the last ones getting caught within just the last two kilometers. The pack also had to scale three low-grade climbs.

Bike tires kicked up trails of mist on the rain-soaked roads, while the riders’ shaved legs and arms glistened. Many gingerly negotiated sharp turns like one at the entrance to Lisieux. /AP