Le Havre (France), July 10 (IANS) Czech rider Zdenek Stybar has won the sixth stage of the Tour de France, while overall leader Tony Martin was forced to withdraw after breaking his collarbone in a crash.
German rider Martin fell and ended up pulling out of the race in a crash on Thursday that also brought down eight other riders including defending champion Vincenzo Nibali and Colombian climbing ace Nairo Quintana, reports Xinhua.
He became the second race leader to pull out of the race, after Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara fractured two vertebraes in his lower back on Monday.
Martin’s Etixx Quick-Step teammate Stybar crossed the finish line unchallenged to win the a 191.5 kilometre ride from Abbeville to Le Havre.
Martin still holds the yellow jersey in 22 hours 13 minutes and 14 seconds while Sky team’s British ride Chris Froome was the overall second.
Friday’s seventh stage starts from Livarot in the Normandy region and ends 190.5 kilometers (118 miles) later in Fougeres, nestled in the Brittany region.