Still Super Mario

Sprint king Cipollini takes 6th stage; O'Grady retains lead

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Friday July 17, 1998 07:30 PM

Cipollini finished the stage in a time of five hours, five minutes and 32 seconds

BRIVE-LA-GAILLARDE, France (CNN/SI) -- Mario Cipollini of Italy won his second stage in this years Tour de France on Friday, while Stuart O'Grady of Australia successfully defended the overall leader's yellow jersey.

The 204.5-kilometer (127-mile) sixth stage which included a category three and several category four hills stretched from La Chatre to Brive-la-Gaillarde.

Cipollini finished the stage in a time of five hours, five minutes and 32 seconds, but he saved the real racing for the close.

As he did on Thursday, Cipollini dominated the mass sprint for the finish line.

Another Italian, Nicola Minali, was second, followed by Czech Jan Svorada.

O'Grady, an Australian, held on to the leader's yellow jersey in third in a bonus sprint. That moved him nine seconds ahead of American George Hincapie.

He finished fourth in one sprint, just behind O'Grady.

"I guess it wasn't in the cards," a disappointed Hincapie said, "It's pretty much over."

That's not the case, though, for the drug scandal which is dominating the race.

After being questioned in police custory since Wednesday evening, Festina team director Bruno Roussel and team doctor Erik Ryckaert were moved today to Lille where a court is investigating the case. The two were expected to have a confrontation with Willy Voet, a Festina masseur who was arrested in a team car with performance-enhancing drugs, including steroids, last week.

At first, Voet was reported to have said the drugs were for his personal use. Then he changed his story saying he was under team orders.

Roussel and Ryckaert were to appear before a magistrate, and likely would be placed under formal investigation.

Related information
Stories
Cipollini sprints to 5th stage victory to end tour misery Stuart O'Grady, the man from Down Under comes out on top Anywhere Cipollini goes his clairvoyant is sure to follow Australian Prime Minister congratulates O'Grady Blijlevens takes fourth stage Stage 6 La Châtre and Brive-la-Gaillarde
Stats
Stage 6 Results
Multimedia
Check out highlights from Stage 6   • Start(2.73 M .MOV) Click here for the latest audio and video
Message Boards
1998 Tour de France Can sprint king Super Mario hold onto the yellow jersey to Paris? Join the discussion
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.