Stage six in pictures

The race leaders, Tom Steels, Paolo Bettini and Laurent Jalabert, gather at the start of the stage.

After only 14km a group of 12 riders break away from the main peloton.

They stay away for the rest of the stage, a distance of 184km

Lance Armstrong and Laurent Jalabert can do little to breach the gap. It would prove to be the Frenchman's final day in yellow

Salvatore Commesso and Marc Wouters drive the breakaway on.

Alberto Elli maintains the pace in the leading pack flanked by Leon van Bon and Jacky Durand.

Van Bon, the Dutch national champion, crosses the line in first place.

Elli is the main benificiary from the stage taking the yellow jersey off Jalabert.