It's the second hilly stage, but quite evidently based on the profile, the hardest of the two.
Frank Schleck won Stage 5 and on paper, should be the massive favourite here. At only 20 seconds off the race lead, a stage win could bring him level with Granjel Cabrera - and it will take an incredible performance for the Cuban race leader to finish at the same time as the leader. Further in Schleck's favour is the absence of big threats. Of the other favourites, Sinkewitz and Hagen's hopes were over almost before they began, while Bakelandts failed to attack, and Van Garderen - despite attacking - lost crucial time. No doubt all will be out to improve their race today though, while di Luca, Ulissi, and Visconti are the strongest, and best placed, on paper, to bring the fight to Schleck. After all, who is to say that Schleck will even attack? It wouldnt be the first time this season that he fails to do so.
Enough of the build up, onto the action. Plenty of early attacks, with the first climb early on - albeit worth only the 4 points. The KoM jersey is still up for grabs later in the day but for now, Scheunemann takes the 4, from Rosseler, Gaudin and Adams.
Also part of this move were Brizuela, Boucher, Nolf, Sieberg, Eastman and Santambrogio. Not that it matters, riders from 6 different teams are intent on chasing them down.
But instead, we just get an even larger attack. 14 men are involved, and they get the green light to go, a gap forms.
These riders are granted a nice long stint at the front of the race, but they can surely forget any hopes of a stage win, once Vesuvio and Sony Ericsson set to work to chase them down. 40km to go, and approaching the 2 key climbs (apart from the climb up to the finish of course), the gap has fallen to 3 minutes.
Its a tricky climb, first up, but the break does remain intact - bar the skirmishes for KoM points of course. Mauro Santambrogio finished in the elite group on Stage 5, but had lost time on Stage 1 - he takes the climb here and with 15 points, moves to 32, and within 5 of leader Vaugrenard. Sestili takes 2nd, Tennant 3rd.
Some vague interest from the peloton too, as disqualified rider Mehr-Wenige (see the race discussion topic) jumps away. He actually bridges up to the break, and onto the 2nd climb, Tennant attacks for the KoM points. But a distraction.
No.
Surely not!
Frank Schleck has attacked! He has actually made the first move! Unbelievable!
Tennant just takes the climb from Santambrogio - but 2nd is enough for the Italian to take over the lead. Brizuela and Sestili had also attacked for points - but behind them, the ominous red figure is already amongst their former companions.
A few moments later, literally a couple of hundred metres, and here he is. Swiftly making it to the front of the race, while David Boucher has also decided this could be a good move to follow - leaving behind the rest of the break to rejoin the KoM attackers.
All you managers have no need to worry though, Frank Schleck isnt the only man attacking! Numerous names have popped up on the ticker below, to say they are attacking - and soon 6 becomes 8 in front, Mehr-Wenige has followed the move, and matching Schleck's attack - it's Van Garderen. Other names we're told are attacking are Di Luca, Casar and Visconti - but more have gone, just not been named.
Surprisingly now though, the KoM attackers drop back. This leaves Boucher as the sole remaining breakaway rider, alongside Mehr-Wenige, Schleck and Van Garderen.
So as those 4 drop back, they collect Maes - who has failed in his attempt to also make it up to the group. But it really does seem that Schleck caught a lot of riders out here with his fast unexpected attack. Only Di Luca and Kruijswijk - the B&O rider seen trying to respond on the initial Schleck attack pic - are in this next chase group of 15 who havent been in the break all day. Casar was here, but oddly dropped back.
Panic stations behind, the descent really coming at an inopportune moment. Visconti goes as soon as he can, passing the KoM attackers who continue to fall back. And there we go, Granjel Cabrera has to react and does so, Gautier following.
The yellow jersey makes it to the chase group, and alongside Di Luca, but 4 riders have now splintered off inbetween this group and Schleck's: Kruijswijk, Eastman, Maes, and Visconti.
Those 4 are swiftly brought back though, and a chase of 23 forms. Theyre still 50 seconds down with 10km to go though, and this is a brilliant situation for Schleck. With him is Van Garderen - dangerous, but lost out on Stage 5; Mehr-Wenige - disqualified; and Boucher - presumed knackered having been in the break all day, but 2 minutes down regardless. Speaking of Boucher though, his teammate Clement - having made it to the chase group - is now attacking it ... but wait ... Boucher attacks Group Schleck!
Behind, a Carmeuse rider - probably Casar - has crossed to Clement. And now Granjel Cabrera attacks! He is following a move by Duque. (While incidentally, we spot that Kolesnikov is present in this group)
While Boucher has managed to get a gap! Schleck dare not reduce his tempo though, so it will be a tough fight for the Continental rider.
Theres just 5km to go, and Granjel Cabrera is staring down the road as his lead slips away. He hasnt got away from this 23 man group - which he should probably be working with rather than attacking, to stand the best chance.
Closing in on the finish, 2km to go, the dream looks over for Boucher - Van Garderen has reeled him back in, and we get a good view of the stage ending climb.
So into the final kilometre, its Van Garderen slightly ahead of Schleck.
But now its Schleck slightly ahead of Van Garderen, as Boucher is blown away.
And Frank Schleck takes stage win number 2! He instigated the move, and only Van Garderen of the GC rivals could cope - a gap is now sure, and the race lead his.
Its a great effort by Boucher, and the Frenchman takes 3rd place on the stage, losing 50 seconds in that final kilometre.
Racing into 4th is Jelle Vanendert - the gap being 1'09 - so Van Garderen is sure to move into a podium spot. After the Domina rider its Di Luca, Kolesnikov, Gautier, Visconti, Kruijswijk, Casar and Pereiro.
Other attackers in here are Clement, Bennatim, Duque, Pate and of course, this man: Granjel Cabrera
He gave everything once again, but its all in vain as far as the race lead goes. He does hold onto 2nd overall though, 14 seconds ahead of Van Garderen.
There's now a further gap to the peloton, at 2'22. Hagen jumps away to lead it in - did he misjudge the stage length, or simply not care with GC hopes gone?
The big 4 losers in the pack are those who made the front group on Stage 5 but nowhere today - Ulissi, Talabardon, Dowsett and Flecha. Oh and Bakelandts, who did nothing again.
