French champion Florent Brard (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears) was one of the three breakaway riders, together with Magnus Bäckstedt and Anthony Geslin, in yesterday's sixth stage into Vitré. As usual, the sprinters' teams caught them with four kilometres to go, and another breakaway was finished.
"Of course we know it is almost impossible for a break to go to the finish during the first week of the Tour, because the sprinters' teams won't let you, but if you don't even try, no chance!" said Brard after the finish. "Today's stage pleased me a lot because we entered a territory where cycling really drives the public crazy. I will try again on July 14, because it is the national festival of my country, but I know it won't be that simple because everybody will expect me to do so. I already looked at the course and I like it because there is a climb a few kilometres after the start and I will try to go there. If they left me, of course!"
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