Zabel wins stage six and answers critics

GERMAN sprint-meister Erik Zabel put paid to any suggestions his powers are fading as he won stage six of the Tour de France.

The 32-year-old German, six-time green jersey winner on the Tour, powered to his 12th ever stage win barely a bike wheel ahead of speed rival Robbie McEwen. Although Zabel started the day in the green jersey he had it virtually taken off his back on the first sprint of the day by McEwen, and the talk of Zabel losing his sprint title suddenly seemed more than idle speculation.

But in a gripping finish, and aided by some astute work by his team-mates, Zabel was able to work his way to the front of the peloton in the crucial final kilometres through the streets of Alencon. He then showed all his power and experience in the final sprint to beat Spaniard Oscar Freire from the Mapei team into second and, even more significantly, McEwen into third place.