Groenewegen Wins: In recent memory, Dylan Groenewegen won the closest finish in the Tour de France. He edged out Jasper Philipsen by half a wheel length. The flat 163.5-kilometer course from Macon to Chalon was always likely to end with a bunch sprint after Mark Cavendish had beaten Eddy Merckx’s record with his 35th stage win on Wednesday.
However, Cavendish (39), who won his fifth stage in this year’s race yesterday, was not in contention in the sprint for the line on Thursday. Jayco – AlUla rider Groenewegen, 31, came late off Philipsen’s wheel to edge ahead at the line. It is Groenewegen’s sixth career stage win and first since he joined the Australian team this season.
Philipsen was second across the line but demoted to 107th for blocking Wout van Aert in the final 150 meters. Biniam Girmay was promoted to second, and Movistar third.
The general classification remains unchanged, with Tadej Pogacar leading 45 seconds from Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard five seconds back in third.
Astana Qazaqstan sports director Mark Renshaw said Wednesday was expected to be Cavendish’s best chance of setting the record, and Thursday could bring further opportunities on what is likely to be his final Tour.
With just one climb, the stage offered a straightforward ride through the vineyards of Burgundy. Despite some mechanical issues, Cavendish rejoined the peloton well before the sprint but fell out of contention in the final 800 meters.
Mathieu van der Poel led out teammate Philipsen, who then surged ahead before Groenewegen, donning aerodynamic sunglasses, and stage three winner Girmay challenged him. Groenewegen’s perfectly timed lunge at the line secured his win, with a photo finish confirming the result.
The race continues with an individual time trial over 25.3km from Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin on Friday.
Stage Six Result: Groenewegen Wins
Dylan Groenewegen (Ned/Team Jayco-AlUla) 3hrs 31mins 55secs
Biniam Girmay (Eri/Intermarche-Wanty) Same time
Fernando Gaviria (Col/Movistar)
Phil Bauhaus (Ger/Bahrain Victorious)
Arnaud de Lie (Bel/Lotto Dstny)
Wout van Aert (Bel/Visma-Lease a Bike)
Arnaud Demare (Fra/Arkea-B&B Hotels)
Alexander Kristoff (Nor/Uno-X Mobility)
Pascal Ackermann (Ger/Israel-Premier Tech)
Piet Allegaert (Bel/Cofidis)
General Classification Standings
Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) 26hrs 47mins 19secs
Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Soudal-Quick Step) +45secs
Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +50secs
Juan Ayuso (Spa/UAE Team Emirates) +1min 10secs
Primoz Roglic (Slo/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +1min 14secs
Carlos Rodriguez (Spa/Ineos Grenadiers) +1min 16secs
Mikel Landa (Spa/Soudal-Quick Step) +1min 32secs
Joao Almeida (Por/UAE Team Emirates) +1min 32secs
Giulio Ciccone (Ita/Lidl-Trek) +3mins 20secs
Egan Bernal (Col/Ineos Grenadiers) +3mins 21secs
