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Pinot wins Dauphiné Stage 6

11th June 2016

Thibaut Pinot of FDJ won Stage 6 of the Criterium du Dauphiné in Méribel. He beat Romain Bardet of AG2R in an uphill sprint in the queen stage of the Dauphiné, with five categorised climbs altogether.

Alberto Contador and Fabio Aru attacked at the bottom of the Col de la Madeleine (hors catégorie), but the Sky-led peloton caught them again. Contador attacked again, but couldn't make it stick; however, Fabio Aru and Romain Bardet both went off the front of the bunch, and joined riders up ahead in a breakway, including Thibaut Pinot.

At the top of the penultimate climb, the Montée des Frasses, Romain Bardet and Thibaut Pinot were still in the lead group. The leaders had more than 3 minutes advantage over the yellow jersey group, making Bardet the virtual race leader.

The gap was 2 minutes 42 at the foot of the final climb to Méribel. Wout Poels, who had been pacing the yellow jersey group, peeled off, his work done for the day; Mikel Landa took over. Up the road, Romain Bardet attacked off the front of the lead group with 10km left, and Thibaut Pinot was able to catch him. The two of them worked together.

With 2.5km to go, Sergio Henao took over domestique duties, as the last of Chris Froome's helpers. It was left up to Froome with 1km left. 

Bardet tried to get rid of Pinot on the climb, but Pinot responded each time. Bardet led out the sprint for the line, but Pinot was able to come round him to take the win.

Behind them, Dan Martin sprinted from the yellow jersey group to come home third, 1 minute 04 behind Pinot. Froome was a further 3 seconds back in fourth place, retaining his yellow jersey. Froome is 21 seconds ahead of Richie Porte and Romain Bardet in the GC. CyclingNews has the full race results.

This is a video of the highlights of Stage 6 of the Dauphiné 2016:

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