Vuelta 2018 Stage 6: Bouhanni sprints to victory, Molard holds on to maillot rojo

The Vuelta a España's 6th stage travels on a flat to undulating course from Huércal-Overa to San Javier. Nacer Bouhanni sprints to victory and Rudy Molard holds on to the red jersey, while Wilco Kelderman and Thibaut Pinot concede ground in the frantic - crash and echelon marked - finale. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 6th stage 2018 Vuelta a España

1. Nacer Bouhanni (fra)
2. Danny van Poppel (nld) s.t.
3. Elia Viviani (ita) s.t.
4. Simone Consonni (ita) s.t.
5. Matteo Trentin (ita) s.t.
6. Iván García (spa) s.t.
7. Omar Fraile (spa) s.t.
8. Miguel Ángel López (col) s.t.
9. Peter Sagan (svk) s.t.
10. Michael Mørkøv (den) s.t.

12. Tom Van Asbroeck (bel) s.t.
14. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) s.t.
18. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
19. Emanuel Buchmann (ger) s.t.
22. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
23. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) s.t.
24. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
26. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
28. Richard Carapaz (ecu) s.t.
32. Ion Izagirre (spa) s.t.
33. Simon Yates (gbr) s.t.
34. David de la Cruz (spa) s.t.
43. George Bennett (nzl) s.t.
66. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 1.44
67. Thibaut Pinot (fra) s.t.
101. Rafal Majka (pol) + 3.05

GC after the 6th stage
1. Rudy Molard (fra) *
2. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) + 0.41
3. Emanuel Buchmann (ger) + 0.48
4. Simon Yates (gbr) + 0.51
5. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.53
6. Ion Izagirre (spa) + 1.11
7. Tony Gallopin (fra) + 1.14
8. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
9. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 1.18
10. Enric Mas (spa) + 1.23

11. George Bennett (nzl) + 1.26
12. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 1.27
13. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.28
14. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 1.29
15. David de la Cruz (spa) + 1.34
17. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 2.50
18. Thibaut Pinot (fra) + 3.08
21. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 3.59
23. Rafal Majka (pol) + 4.28
27. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 5.35

Race report
Three riders jump clear once the flag is dropped. Richie Porte, Luis Ángel Maté and Jorge Cubero race to a lead of 4 minutes before the peloton – Quick-Step – takes them on a leash.

With 33 kms to go the break is almost caught when Cubero heads out alone. His solo lasts a few kms and then he is swallowed by the bunch.

The peloton splits due to a crash 25 kms before the line. The first group accelerates through the wind. Thibaut Pinot and Wilco Kelderman, who were behind the crash, are forced to chase. The Dutchman suffers a mechanical to make the situation extra painful.

In the ensuing sprint Nacer Bouhanni outguns Danny van Poppel and Elia Viviani, Rudy Molard finishes in the bunch to hold on to the red jersey despite the frantic finale. Kelderman and Pinot are not so lucky and they lose 1.44.