Friday, July 11, 2008

Ricco Wins Stage; Kirchen in Yellow

SUPER-BESSE, France (AP) -- Kim Kirchen became the first Luxembourg rider in 50 years to take the yellow jersey in the Tour de France while Riccardo Ricco of Italy sprinted to a mountaintop victory Thursday in the sixth stage.

Kirchen claimed the overall lead after Stefan Schumacher fell in the final yards. The German had worn the yellow jersey for two days since winning Tuesday's time trial.

Ricco was one second ahead of two top riders -- Alejandro Valverde of Spain and Cadel Evans of Australia -- after the 122-mile ride through the peaks of the Massif Central from Aigurande to the ski resort of Super-Besse.

"Winning a stage so early is excellent for our confidence," said Ricco, the leader of the Saunier Duval team. He previously won a stage in the Giro d'Italia.

"Both competitions are great, but the Tour is the most difficult competition in the world," he said.
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