Sad Menchov wins for bomb victims
GAP, France -- Russian Denis Menchov of the Baleares team won a sprint finish to win Friday's 173.5km sixth stage of the Paris-Nice cycling race from Rasteau to Gap.
Menchov, 26, pipped fellow breakaway riders Spaniard Samuel Sanchez, American Floyd Landis and Belgian Dave Bruylandts on the line
Spanish-based Menchov dedicated the win to the victims of the bomb attacks in Madrid.
"My first thoughts are with the victims. I live in Spain and am very touched, like all Spaniards, by this drama," he said.
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.
"It wasn't easy but I felt strong today. On the last climb I gave it everything. I really had to make a huge effort to get back because I don't like this type of nervous climb," added Menchov.
Jaksche warned that he was ready to attack in Saturday's penultimate stage, a 185.5km run from Digne-les-Bains to Cannes on the French Riviera.
"It's not over even if I think that today was the most difficult" said the German. "I fear above all Sunday's stage, the last day. Vandenbroucke is getting stronger and stronger and I would have liked to have a bit more of a lead on Rebellin."
