The Tour de France 2012 moves into Stage 6 from Epernay to Metz.  The 207.5 km stage is one of the flattest stages in the entire tour this year, with only one category 4 climb in the entire stage.

The intermediate sprint occurs with approximately 72 km to go in the stage.  All the major sprinters will be there gathering points for the green jersey competition led by Peter Sagan (Liquigas). 

The stage ends in Metz with on a mostly straight and flat run-in. While there will inevitably be a breakaway, the sprint teams will be motivated to catch the breakaway for a bunch sprint.

As in the previous stages, look for competing lead-out trains by Andrew Greipel (Lotto), Mark Cavendish (Sky), and Matt Goss (Orica). Greipel has won the last two stages with superb lead outs by his teammates. 

Others that will want to put their stamp on the Tour de France with a win include Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre) and Tyler Farrar (Garmin). 

Stage 6 comes one day before the first mountain stage on Stage 7, where the first GC selection should take place.

GC contenders such as Cadel Evans (BMC), Bradley Wiggins (Sky), Denis Menchov (Katusha), Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel), and Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin) will consolidate their energy on Stage 6 in order to prepare for Stage 7.

Team RadioShack will keep yellow-jersey holder Fabian Cancellera in the front of the peloton to protect his lead, which he may hold for only another day. 

*** Stage 6 has ended, please click here for the latest live coverage of the Tour de France: /world-others/