Roche on the rise

Defending champion Cadel Evans and rival Bradley Wiggins successfully negotiated a crash-strewn first week of the Tour de France as some of their rivals for the Paris podium saw their hopes come to an end on stage six to Metz.

And it was a day of contrasting emotions for Ireland’s two riders in the Tour, as Nicolas Roche climbed the rankings while Dan Martin plummeted.

As Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) re-emphasised his stunning talent by claiming his third stage win of his maiden Tour, Evans (BMC Racing) and Wiggins (Team Sky) rolled in with the front group as behind them carnage unfolded.