GERONA, Spain (AP) — Carlos Sastre was involved in an early crash as the Tour de France headed into Spain for Thursday's sixth stage, featuring a slight uphill finish that could favor one-day classics specialists.
The 2008 Tour winner quickly got back on his bike and was escorted back into the pack by his Cervelo teammates.
The 177 riders headed southwest along the Mediterranean for a 112.8-mile course spanning plains, the coast and a few small hills from Gerona to Barcelona.
The pack set off at a swift pace of about 29 miles an hour for the first stretch. Breakaway attempts by riders such as Americans David Zabriskie and George Hincapie were quickly reeled in by the peloton.
The ascent at the finish could have an impact on the overall standings, and the stage is likely to favor breakaway riders seeking a stage victory.
Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland has been the only man to wear the yellow jersey this year. Lance Armstrong is a split-second behind and 2007 Tour champion Alberto Contador is third, 19 seconds back.
Armstrong said the last climb will be crucial.
"Fabian Cancellara will be strong today," the seven-time Tour champion predicted before the stage. "In fact, if he wanted to go on the last climb, maybe nobody could stay with him. He's got a lot of power."
The first big mountain shakedown is expected Friday, when the race heads back out of Spain and up to the Pyrenean principality of Andorra, when Contador, who has said he's eager to get to the climbs, could make his move.
"I think it's very possible that he sets a tempo that nobody can follow, and in that case there's not much I can do," Armstrong said of his 26-year-old Spanish teammate with Astana. "I have to stay with the other favorites, and fulfill my responsibility as a teammate."
"I can't chase him down. If he goes alone, then I'll just stay with the other favorites," Armstrong said.
The Tour ends July 26 in Paris.
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