The 201 km Tour de San Luis Stage 6 race on Saturday will be a battle for the Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team to continue to defend the leader's jersey for Levi Leipheimer. Leipheimer currently leads Alberto Contador (Team Saxo Bank) in the general classification (GC) by 46 seconds. The climbing comes early in stage 6, which could be where a rider like Contador will strike. There is a category 3 climb at the 40 km mark, and then a category 1 climb at the 57 km mark. Sprint points are also available at the 34.6 km mark before the climbs begin.
After that, however, the course is relatively flat or downhill with the exception of a category 3 climb at the 170 km marker of the race. The final categorized climb is followed by a lengthy downhill. There are sprint points just before that climb, at the 166 km mark.
This course has a downhill into a flat/slightly uphill finish, so this could potentially be a finish for the sprinters once again at Tour de San Luis. Expect Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team to be very active in defending Levi's lersey, but also contesting the stage.
Stage 6 rolls neutral at 11:55 a.m. ART, and racing begins at 11:59 a.m. ART.
Photo copyright: Enzo Vicennati