EPERNAY, France (AP) — Riders have started the sixth stage of the Tour de France, a 129-mile trek from Epernay to Metz.
Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara is in the yellow jersey for the sixth consecutive day, while prerace favorite Bradley Wiggins of Britain is 7 seconds back in second.
Friday’s stage starts in the center of France’s Champagne region and heads east along nearly flat roads, making it a stage for sprinters such as world champion Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel, who has won two consecutive stages.
