Tour de France 2019 result: Dylan Teuns wins stage six as Giulio Ciccone claims yellow jersey
Behind, Geraint Thomas showed there is plenty of life in his title defence as he put in a late dig to distance several GC contenders
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Dylan Teuns won stage six of the Tour de France from the breakaway as Giulio Ciccone snatched the yellow jersey off Julian Alaphilippe on the brutal slopes of La Planche des Belles Filles.
Bahrain-Merida's Teuns and Trek-Segafredo's Ciccone were the last survivors of a 14-man breakaway on the 160.5km stage from Mulhouse, and were both rewarded after a painful slog up gradients reaching 24 per cent.
Behind, Geraint Thomas showed there is plenty of life in his title defence as he put in a late dig to distance several GC contenders, including his Ineos team-mate Egan Bernal, and take fourth place on the day.
That meant Thomas' much-discussed five-second deficit to Bernal is now a four-second advantage, with the Welshman moving up to fifth place on the much-changed general classification.
Ciccone leads by six seconds from Deceuninck-Quick Step's Alaphilippe, with Teuns third, 32 seconds down.
Jumbo-Visma's George Bennett slots into third place, two seconds ahead of Thomas who is 49 seconds off yellow.
Many had expected the explosive young Bernal to put more time into Thomas on a climb which the defending champion himself admitted did not suit him - the final gradients of over 20 per cent far more favourable to his Colombian team-mate.
But when Alaphilippe - desperate to keep the yellow jersey he earned on stage three - attacked from the group of favourites inside the final kilometre, it was Thomas who set off after him and rounded the Frenchman on the last bend.
Given the question marks over his form that have followed Thomas all week, this was a major statement of intent.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments