Graham Watson

Van Bon, part of the break that left the field after 14 kilometers, claimed the windy and flat 198.5-kilometer Vitre to Tours road race in four hours 28 minutes and 6 seconds.

Elli (Telekom), who was also part of the break, began the day in 21st position, 2:15 behind previous race leader Frenchman Laurent Jalabert (ONCE). Elli finished sixth in the stage, but was the highest placed rider in the break entering the stage. Jalabert, who finished the main field, 7:49 behind the leaders, dropped to 10th place, 5:40 behind.

Defending race champion Lance Armstrong (U.S. Postal Service) also finished in the main group and dropped to 12th place, 5:54 behind.

While the stage finish scrambled the standings, the main field opted not to pursue the 12-rider break. None of the riders who have moved to the front of the general classification are contenders for the overall title with the beginning of the mountain stages still four days away.

"It was a hard day; there was a lot of wind," said Armstrong. "And tomorrow could be even harder. But I am trying to conserve for the mountains."

In addition to Van Bon, The 12-rider break included past Tour stage winners—Jacky Durand (Lotto) and Italian Salvatore Commesso (Saeco). Three members of Van Bon's Rabobank team were in the break, including Markus Zberg of Switzerland, who gave his winning teammate a strong lead out with 500 meters remaining.

While progressing along the course's flat profile, the lead group built a 12:57 cushion after 68 kilometers.

As it did in the fifth stage, the peloton steadily began to narrow their deficit. But unlike the previous day when the field caught the two leaders with less than one kilometer left, the dozen front-runners maintained their advantage until the final sprint.