Attack the Peloton

Stage 6 was another relatively flat stage with a couple of climbs mixed in and a steep run up to the finish. Once again a small breakaway was allowed to escape from the peloton and led most of the race. I say "allowed", because that's pretty much how it works. A couple of riders will attack the peloton and as long as no one who is in contention for an overall Tour victory aka the General Classification - GC is in the breakaway, the peloton will usually let them get away.

This behavior accomplishes several things...
It allows riders who have no hope of an overall Tour victory, the opportunity to go for a stage win. Helping their careers and promoting their sponsors.

It adds a little more excitement for people watching the Tour.

But most importantly, it helps temper the pace of the peloton. Even small attacks can make the peloton nervous. They have to pay attention to who is attacking, they have to know what the attackers overall status is (are they a threat?), and then they have to decide what to do about it. Once a rider or group of riders is allowed to successfully attack, there usually aren't too many more attacks after that. i.e. By allowing a small group to get a couple of minutes ahead, it takes some incentive away from other riders who may have considered attacking, thereby allowing the peloton to drop their guard and relax to an extent. Ex. Why would I attack if I knew there was another group of riders that I'd have to get passed a couple of minutes up the road? It just seems like too much work. It's a great psychological deterrent and it usually works.

The peloton will then monitor the advantage of the breakaway and then in uncanny fashion usually overtake the breakaway within sight of the finish line. But every once in a while, something happens and the peloton gets it wrong, and on those days the win goes to the rider who took the risk.

The peloton, while it may seem kind of boring, is an amazing part of bike racing. Understanding what goes on within the peloton actually makes watching bike racing much more entertaining. I recall a stage a couple of Tours ago where a rider who was not a threat to the GC made an early breakaway. Unfortunately for him, he had pissed Lance off and Lance didn't want to give him the opportunity to win a stage, so Lance attacked with him. With Lance by his side, the attack was doomed, because the peloton wouldn't even consider letting Lance (a GC threat) get away. Too funny!

Back to Stage 6, the breakaway wasn't able to maintain the advantage and the peloton caught and passed them within one kilometer of the finish. At least they got to show off their skills and sponsors for a little while.

Once again, there were no changes in the overall GC standings.

1 - Fabian Cancellara - TEAM SAXO BANK (not really a threat once we get into the mountains)
2 - Lance Armstrong - TEAM ASTANA - .22" seconds behind
3 - Alberto Contador - TEAM ASTANA - 19" seconds
4 - Andreas Kloden - TEAM ASTANA - 23"
5 - Levi Leipheimer - TEAM ASTANA - 31"
12 - Big George Hincapie - TEAM COLUMBIA - HTC - 1' 36"