Menchov wins Paris-Nice sixth stage

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2004

GAP, France (AFP) — Russian Denis Menchov of the Baleares team won a sprint finish to take the 173.5km sixth stage of the Paris-Nice cycling race from Rasteau to here.

Menchov, 26, pipped fellow breakaway riders Spaniard Samuel Sanchez, American Floyd Landis and Belgian Dave Bruylandts at the line after they had surged ahead at the final climb at Manse, some 25km from the line.

Germany's CSC rider Jorg Jaksche, who holds the overall race lead, crossed the line with the pursuing group 24 seconds off the pace, in the same time as his leading rivals Italy's Davide Rebellin and Belgian Frank Vandenbroucke.

The race was marked by a long breakaway of Spaniard Aitor Osa and French rider Nicolas Portal before they were caught at the Col de Manse.

Saturday's...