An amputated stage
The 6th stage that went through parts of the Boromo-Houndé stage (a few days ago) but in opposite direction, suffered modifications for the same reasons. The state of the road not making it possible for the riders to compete in full security, the 42 kilometres on the way to Boromo were indeed cancelled. The cyclists however signed the start sheets at the start in Pâ, before heading by bus to the site of the official start. Only 115 kms left!

Playing with the peloton
Taking of in rather cautious fashion due to the difficulties to come, the riders weren't as keen to attack then in the previous days. After about 10 kms, Gunter Cuylits (Bel), pink jersey leader broke away from the peloton, increasing the gap at first to up to 20''. He then carried on his effort alongside Olivier Keita (Sen), before a third member, Bart Vendrig (Hol), made it to the leading group. Their lead moves close to a minute at kilometre 30 before dropping down to 35'' twenty kilometres later and climb back up to a maximum 1'05'' at km 63. This game of hide and seek won't however prove to be decisive as the peloton increases the chase.

One kilometre with a puncture tire
A bunched peloton eventually makes it to Sabou, 25 kilometres from the finish and the first metres of laterite paths. Karel Pattyn, who had carried the yellow jersey two days ago for a very short period, has very clear plans for this difficult portion and tries to fly off to a stage success. Halfway through, he has a 50'' lead on the peloton and his advantage grows to 1'25'', 8 kms from the finish. But the track proves to be lethal for the Dutchman: in less than 5 kms, he suffers four punctures. Caught by the group, he leaves the leadership to two new adventurers Abdoulaye Thiam (Sen) and Joris Van Mechelen (Bel) who give it a go. The Senegal rider punctures in the following kilometre. Van Mehcelen finds himself alone with a 15'' lead, when he also punctures a tire just 1 km from the finish. He however carries on riding and keeps a tiny two second lead that gives him stage victory ahead of Denis Flahaut and yellow jersey rider A.Wahab Sawadogo.

Red jersey for everyone

And just imagine that they almost didn't have it. They almost missed out on that red dirt that covers you and enters your throat! The second great innovation of this Tour after its historical visit to Mali during stage 3, was to use the road portion with no tarmac… between Sabou and Koudougou. But the decision had been suspended during the last few days. Originally, the idea to go through this track had been conclusive after final checks during the month of February. The organisers however knew how damaging the rainy season can be in this part of the World. And to have confirmation, a final check was necessary…

A week before the start of the event, Laurent Bezault, during a second series of checks saw how difficult the situation was and took the right decision: “it isn't possible to let the riders take off on a track in such bad state”. The event director hadn't however given up. With the support of minister of sports Toundoun Sessouma, the Tour of Faso asked for the help of the minister of Burkina infrastructures, who promised to produce a satisfactory road in due time.

Despite the guaranty of the government, Laurent Bezault still went on site a day before the race. Although considered usable, the track still needed a few final touches during the night. Added to that the portion was even sprinkled to try and prevent too much dirt.

The men competing for stage 6 victory weren't however given a red carpet to ride on. Everyone was ready for some action. These 40 kilometres were at least at the centre of all conversations on the bivouac. One question coming to mind: “Is it harder than Paris-Roubaix?” For Bezault, a former rider at the best period of the Toshiba team, “it's not as difficult. It remains a road used everyday by the people in their cars living here.” Jean Stablinski, World champion back in 1962 and team manager of the Porte de Hainaut team shares the same point of view.

Concerning the riders, the opinions are slightly different. Karel Pattyn, who had the possibility of claiming the stage and conquering back the yellow jersey, is certainly one that doesn't agree. He eventually made it to finish after suffering four punctures in 5 kms. The thirty or so riders who had to stop and repair a tire won't remember the last kilometres to Koudougou as a piece of cake.

Even stage winner, Joris Van Mechelen, who rode the last kilometre with a punctured wheel, admits he had been surprised by how difficult it had been. The Belgian, who already competed in a few Flanders classics, cousin to Paris-Roubaix, analyses the technical difference: “on cobbled roads there's always a way of riding on the sides to avoid the difficult parts. Here, you have sand and stones everywhere. I'm exhausted but happy”. And that was basically what all the riders thought at the finish. Yann Befcop, a northern French rider admitted: “it's horrible but you really have to do it at least once in your life”.