One year ago Thomas Damuseau crowned an aggressive performance in his home race, Criterium du Dauphiné, by winning the mountains jersey and this year he is again in the mix in the French event. After going on the attack in stage 2, he was again in the thick of the action in today's sixth stage.

Thomas Damuseau was once again in the action off the front of the peloton today on the sixth stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné. Unlike his breakaway attempt on the second stage of the race, today’s escape was successful and the group of 16 managed to stay clear to fight out the finish.

Three riders broke away in the final 15km and, after eventually becoming two, they fought out the win between themselves, with the chasers coming home for third. Damuseau did not have a lot left in the tank after a hard day’s racing and he eventually came across the line in 13th place.

There was once again a flurry of activity in the early stages today with many teams wanting to be represented at the front. It took over 40km for the break to eventually form but once it did the 16 riders soon pulled away and set about building a lead which peaked at nearly six minutes.

The gap hardly fell in the second half of the stage as the riders out front moved closer and closer to the final two climbs of the day and with 40km to go the 16 still had 5’30″ over the chasers which didn’t look to bothered about bringing the break back.

Damuseau mopped up what KOM points he could which would see him move up to third in that classification at the end of the day – a classification he won back in 2013. On the first of two final classified climbs, with 24km to go, two riders attacked and were soon joined by a third. This move would be decisive in the outcome of the stage.

From these riders it was Jan Bakelants (Omega Pharma – Quickstep) who was the fastest at the finish taking the spoils, while the chasers came across the line 24 seconds back with Damuseau just outside the top 10.

Team Giant-Shimano coach Christian Guiberteau said after the stage: “The guys worked well together to cover the moves early on and make sure that we were represented in the move that stuck. Eventually Thomaswas there in the right one and went clear.

“This meant that behind the guys could stick together and out of trouble and stay positioned in case the group was brought back. Thomas did a good job out front but made a few mistakes at the end which cost him places. It is good for him to learning how races like this are fought out at the end though, and this is the first time he has been in contention for a stage win this year which will be good for his confidence. ”