Peter Sagan of Slovakia, wearing the best sprinter's green jersey, celebrates on the podium of the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 196.5 kilometers (122 miles) with start in Rouen and finish in Saint-Quentin, France, Thursday July 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)
July 06, 2012 - 11:32 AM
METZ, France - Peter Sagan of Slovakia edged Andre Greipel of Germany in a sprint finish to win the sixth stage of the Tour de France.
Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland retained the yellow jersey for a seventh day after the 207.5-kilometre trek from Epernay to Metz through the Champagne region.
Giro d'Italian champion Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria, Frank Schleck and Mark Cavendish were among a large group of riders involved in a huge pile-up that split the peloton 26 kilometres from the finish.
Hesjedal, who entered the day ninth overall, suffered a huge scrape on his left hip but managed to get back on his bike and finish the race.
He finished more than 13 minutes back of Sagan, all but ruining his chances of winning this year's Tour.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012