Samuel Dumoulin continued the French Cofidis team's hot streak in Barcelona today, by winning the hilly sixth stage of the Volta a Catalunya. The Frenchman's teammate Rein Taaramäe finished just behind the sprinter, with overall leader Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) placing a strong third.
For his effort, Rodriguez maintains the overall lead going into tomorrow's final stage, a 117 kilometer trip from EsportParc to Circuit de Catalunya, where it's expected to end in a bunch sprint.
Today's penultimate stage of the Volta a Catalunya provided the final opportunity for the overall contenders to gain time. The 161.9 kilometer stage from El Vendrell to Barcelona was hilly, with five third category climbs and finishing circuit through the streets of Barcelona that the peloton would navigate three times.
The day was marked by the escape of two men, Jan Bakelants (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and Dario Cataldo (Quick Step), who were allowed three minutes over the peloton. Their gap remained intact until the final circuits in Barcelona where the Footon-Servetto-Fuji and Katusha team's took control and increased the pace.
When the duo crossed the finish for the first of three times, the gap had already been reduced to 40 seconds, and with 8 kilometers remaining the peloton had caught their prey. Jen Voigt (Saxo Bank) and Eros Capecchi (Footon-Servetto-Fuji) were the next to try their luck, quickly establishing a gap of 15 seconds. The pair started the final circuit still clear of the peloton, but were run down with 2 kilometers left to race.
The bunch was altogether on the final ascent of the Montjuic, with Frenchman Dumoulin able to jump clear in the sprint for his fifth win of the season.
2010 Volta a Catalunya stage six results:
1. Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis)
2. Rein Taaramäe (Cofidis)
3. Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha)
4. David Loosli (Lampre-Farnese Vini)
5. Aitor Galdos (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
6. Andreas Kloden (RadioShack)
7. Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas-Doimo)
8. Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne)
9. Paolo Tiralongo (Astana)
10. Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions)
General classification after stage six:
1. Joaquim Rodríguez (Katusha)
2. Xavier Tondo (Cervélo TestTeam)
3. Rein Taaramae (Cofidis)
4. Luis León Sánchez (Caisse d'Epargne)
5. Nicolas Roche (AG2R-La Mondiale)