Team Katusha’s Simon Špilak worked in the group to sprint out for second place on the stage at 32-seconds behind winner Tony Gallopin. It was a tricky day of racing tactics and a big battle for the general classification.

“Honestly I did not know there was somebody in front. The downhill was too dangerous so I tried to be fully concentrated on the descent and thought our group was in the lead. Anyway it was a good stage for me. Indeed the stage was very hard with all of the rain, cold and climbs. In the final climb I attacked with a few riders. Later we stayed four in the group.

“I tried to do 100% on the descent because I knew other favorites were in the group behind us. In the end I took some important seconds so I am satisfied. Tomorrow will be decisive stage, I am motivated to do well,” said Simon Špilak, referring to the final uphill time trial on Sunday’s stage 7.

Lotto-Soudal’s Tony Gallopin attacked on the final climb of the 180,5 km stage from Vence to Nice and held his advantage over Simon’s group. Chasing behind were the GC favorites who didn’t figure into the major action after an untimely crash from Richie Porte (Sky) disrupted the chase. Gallopin took over the race lead, as well, and will begin the final stage as the last rider on the uphill time trial. His advantage is 36- and 37-seconds to Richie Porte and Michal Kwiatkowski. Špilak is in seventh place at 53-seconds.

“We had a plan to help Simon and Tiago during the stage and in the final climb. Sergei Chernetckii went in the break to protect the team. But the weather was really bad today and Tiago suffered a lot because of the cold and was forced to abandon. Later a car of AG2R hit Egor Silin. He was ok, but he needed a new bike and it was impossible for him to come back. So finally Simon was able to come in front. It was a good attack and his group missed just a little to catch Gallopin, who did a perfect race, of course. Anyway we are happy with his result. Now he is 7th in GC and tomorrow he will fight in the uphill TT,” said team director Dmitry Konyshev.

The uphill time trial on Sunday is from Nice up the Col d’Èze at 9,6km.