CSC puts Bobby in a winning position

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There were no real challenges to Bobby Julich's yellow and white leader's jersey in today's sixth...

Young Dutchman Posthuma takes stage

There were no real challenges to Bobby Julich's yellow and white leader's jersey in today's sixth stage of Paris-Nice. Julich's seven CSC teammates rode in perfect formation for the whole stage, protecting Julich and not using too much energy in light of tomorrow's tough finale. Although the Saunier Duval riders repeatedly tried to break the rhythm of the CSC train on the climbs, they could not succeed and Julich conceded no time to his nearest rivals today.

"My team rode perfectly today," said Julich after the finish. "I think it's been eight years since I've had a leader's jersey. This is the best day I could hoped for. I was super strong, the team was super strong, Jens Voigt was super strong. We have one more objective: to win Paris-Nice."

Julich is looking forward to tomorrow's finish on Nice's famous Promenade des Anglais. "I know the promenade very well," he smiled. "My base is in Nice, France. I don't really live there, as we're in and out of the country all the time. But I'm at least half Niçoise now. I know every single one of the climbs tomorrow, so I'm very confident."

CSC used smart tactics today to allow a non-threatening eight man breakaway to go clear after 5 km, letting them stay out there all day. Jörg Ludewig (Domina Vacanze) was the best placed rider in the break on GC at 6'43, so CSC simply kept the gap at around 5-6 minutes, until the end of the stage when they rode a little harder to reduce the threat.

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