The first part of the Tour de France certainly did not pan out like André Greipel had hoped but today he proved that he is still a very capable sprinter when he won the sixth stage of the race. Admitting that he had felt the pressure, the German was happy to silence the critics.

As predicted the sixth stage ended with a bunch sprint. André Greipel was the best. The German took his first victory in this year’s Tour de France.
  
After the memorable stage of yesterday the riders got a stage without cobblestones. The caravan started in Arras. 194 kilometers further the finish line was drawn in the champagne city of Reims. Immediately after the start four riders took off. Maté, Leezer, Pineau and Gérard got more than four minutes lead. With twenty kilometers to go the front group got reeled in. Maté stayed ahead the longest.
 
With just over ten kilometers to go there was lots of action. There was a tailwind so there was a chance of echelons. Lotto Belisol captains Greipel and Van den Broeck rode attentively at the front. After a phenomenal sprint in the streets of Reims André Greipel could celebrate for the first time in this 101st Tour de France. Kristoff and Dumoulin weren’t on the finish photo.
 
Because of the nervousness in the peloton Jurgen Van den Broeck crashed. His clothes were torn and he has some abrasions at his right hip and thigh.
 
“This isn’t only a victory for me, but especially for the team," Greipel said. "We were criticized the last days, but as a team we always kept believing in a stage win. Lars Bak did a huge amount of work the last days and then it’s always nice to thank the guys with a victory.

"We did have to reorganize ourselves a bit. Bart De Clercq isn’t 100% after his crash of a few days ago and also Greg Henderson was an important man in the sprint train.

"Of course I’m relieved. There was some pressure on my shoulders, but as a sportsman you have to be able to handle that. Today I did, by answering on the bike.”
 
“The final was hectic. Because of all the roundabouts it was difficult to set up a lead-out. When entering the final kilometer Kwiatkowski surprised with a late attack and everybody looked at each other. Luckily Porsev of Katusha closed the gap for sprinter Kristoff. That was the perfect scenario for me. I started pretty early, but felt I could keep up my tempo.
 
“That was hard! Especially in the last thirty kilometers with the side wind, it was a tough race. Maybe I didn't have a proper lead out train but we rode like crazy at the last roundabout. Fortunately we stayed together and I found a good wheel in following Mark Renshaw.

"I went full gas with 350 metres to go. It was pretty early but I thought whatever happens is fine as long as I give everything.

"I felt a lot of pressure after the first few stages but finally we have a victory. It's a good answer from Lotto-Belisol to the critics. My confidence was always there. We stayed calm and did a really good work. My team-mates and myself, we deserve this win.
 
“It’s my thirteenth victory of the season. My crash in Ghent-Wevelgem was disappointing, but the preparation for the Tour went well. The condition is good at the moment and that’s the main thing. Now it’s all about surviving the tough stages and in stages where it’s possible I’ll try to have another go.”

"Of course I'm happy," van den Broeck told Cyclingnews before describing his injuries. "Personally I don't think it's too bad. In front of the peloton they were sliding away in a corner and you can't avoid it. If it's nothing more than that it's ok. There's a bit of road rash."