It was a hard day for the Team Giant-Alpecin as Lawson Craddock came in first at 86th. Rui Costa took the win on stage 6, as Vincenzo Nibali is the new overall leader.

Stage 6 of the Criterium du Dauphiné went from Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur to Villard-de-Lans-Vercors. It was a tough day for the peloton with 183km and six climbs on the menu, as attacks from the start of the stage combined with the rainy conditions made it into a real fight to survive. Early in the stage, Luka Mezgec and Caleb Fairly dropped and abandoned the race after suffering from fatigue.

The race continued as several GC contenders, including Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team), Rui Costa (Lampre – Merida) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) search for the attack after 75km. The bunch was unable to get the break back as BMC Racing Team of race leader Tejay van Garderen took most of the chase work on their behalf. Rui Costa was the strongest climber and took the stage win. Vincenzo Nibali is the new owner of the yellow jersey. Lawson Craddock was home first for the team at 86th.

Coach Christian Guiberteau explained: “It was an extreme day with extreme weather. From the start of the stage it was really fast and hard, and we lost Luka and Caleb quite early

“It rained all day and the roads went up and down constantly. Lawson was doing well but unfortunately he crashed out of main bunch, really bad luck. Tomorrow queen stage on an even more difficult course so we have to await how the guys recover from this.”

Chad Haga added: “It was full gas from the start and I was unable to hold the pace. I just had to keep fighting until the bunch slowed down, then I finished in the bunch.”