Story highlights
- Peter Sagan wins third stage on his debut in the Tour de France
- Slovakian increases lead in the battle for the green jersey
- Fabian Cancellara holds on to race leader's yellow jersey
- Host of leading contenders lose time after mass pile-up
Slovakian sensation Peter Sagan made it a hat-trick of stage wins on his debut in the Tour de France as he sprinted to victory in Metz Friday.
The 22-year-old Sagan has extended his lead in the battle for the green points jersey after denying German Andre Greipel his third straight stage win.
But the 210-km sixth stage from Eperney was marred by a mass pile-up 26km from the finish which claimed a number of contenders for overall honors.
Race leader Fabian Cancellara, favorite Bradley Wiggins and defending champion Cadel Evans avoided the crash.
But Giro d'Italia winner Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda) and RadioShack star Frank Schleck all but saw their hopes ended along with French favorite Thomas Voeckler and Dutchman Robert Gesink.
Photos: Tour de France 2012: The best photos
Photos: Tour de France 2012: The best photos
Tour de France 2012: The best photos – Bradley Wiggins, left, celebrates on the finish line with teammate Michael Rogers of Australia after becoming the first Briton to win the Tour de France on Sunday, July 22, in Paris.
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Photos: Tour de France 2012: The best photos
Tour de France 2012: The best photos – From left, best sprinter Peter Sagan of Slovakia, overall race winner Bradley Wiggins of Great Britain, best climber Thomas Voeckler of France and best young rider Tejay Van Garderen of the United States celebrate on the podium after finishing the final stage of the Tour de France in Paris on Sunday.
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Photos: Tour de France 2012: The best photos
Tour de France 2012: The best photos – Mark Cavendish of Great Britain celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the bunch sprint during the 20th and final stage of the Tour de France.
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Photos: Tour de France 2012: The best photos
Tour de France 2012: The best photos – The pack of cyclists rides toward the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Sunday.
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Photos: Tour de France 2012: The best photos
Tour de France 2012: The best photos – British fans celebrate during the 20th and final stage of the Tour on Sunday in Paris.
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Photos: Tour de France 2012: The best photos
Tour de France 2012: The best photos – Cavendish and Wiggins, in yellow, ride past the Arc de Triomphe as the three-week race comes to an end in Paris on Sunday.
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Photos: Tour de France 2012: The best photos
Tour de France 2012: The best photos – The peloton rides towards the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Sunday for the ceremonial finish on the Champs-Elysees.
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Photos: Tour de France 2012: The best photos
Tour de France 2012: The best photos – Wiggins leads the pack on the Place de la Concorde in Paris as the final stage of the Tour de France comes to an end Sunday.
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Photos: Tour de France 2012: The best photos
Tour de France 2012: The best photos – Overall race leader Bradley Wiggins of Great Britain rides next to a team car with a team member carrying a cup of Champagne during the final stage.
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Photos: Tour de France 2012: The best photos
Tour de France 2012: The best photos – From left, best young rider Tejay Van Garderen of the United States, overall race leader Bradley Wiggins of Great Britain, best sprinter Peter Sagan of Slovakia and best climber Thomas Voeckler of France ride together the final stage, which is largely ceremonial.
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Photos: Tour de France 2012: The best photos
Tour de France 2012: The best photos – Briton Bradley Wiggins, wearing the leader's yellow jersey, celebrates finishing the 19th stage of the 2012 Tour de France on Saturday, July 21.
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