Cavendish Relegated, Pagliarini Elevated in Stage Six of the TOC

Stage winner Pagliarini was gifted a win, and then a replica model of California's state animal, the grizzly bear

The Tour of California continued Saturday with the sixth stage, a hilly affair through the rolling agricultural center of the golden state. Levi Leipheimer, the race leader since stage three to San Jose, came to the start line with an air of confidence in himself and his team. Realizing he had only two stages left until he could be considered the final victor, one could see the anticipation on his face.

The stage six podium: Haedo, Pagliarini, Bettini

Sunny skies finally prevailed for a stage, and the riders were clearly happy that they would remain dry for the first time in a few days. Mario Cipollini was in good spirits, as he gave interviews and signed autographs for eager fans. All of the major sprinters in the race were confident ahead of the stage, claiming they were all ready to take a win for their teams.

Steven Cozza drives the day's decisive break through the town of Santa Clarita

In the day's major break, Slipstream's Steven Cozza, Saunier Duval's David Canada, Bouyges Telecom's Alexandre Pichot, Credit Agricole's Christophe Le Mevel, CSC's Karten Kroon and Health Net's Rory Sutherland built up a sizable lead on the stage, working together smoothly throughout the day's racing.

Fred Rodriguez tries to catch the peloton after his crash

As the breakaway group headed into the first of three laps around Santa Clarita, their gap was at two minuutes. But after the first of the three laps was completed, their lead had shrunk by half, to only one minute. Each rider began to steal glances over their shoulder for the main field, signalling the end of their long foray out front.

The jerseys after stage six: Rollin (Sprinter), Gesink (Young Rider), Sutherland (Aggressive), Leipheimer (Leader), Nydam (KOM)

Meanwhile, back in the bunch, things grew hectic when Mark Cavendish, of High Road, crashed with Rock Racing's Mario Cipollini. The entire Rock team, including Cipollini, was involved, and each could be seen trailing the main field at the beginning of the last lap. Cavendish too was trailing, sporting scrapes and clearly in pain from the fall. As the field re-organized, George Hincapie put in a super human effort to bridge closer to the breakaway group, who was now dangling out front with only a ten second gap.

What the hell? Michael Ball reacts to his entire team being involved in a crash towards the end of stage six

As the field bore down on the finish line, the catch was finally made. Slipstream's David Millar immediately had a dig, but was unable to create a gap and was quickly swallowed up. Quick Step drove hard at the front, with help from High Road. Cavendish and Cipollini, against all odds, made it back up to the front and began to position themselves to contest the final sprint to the line. 100 meters from the line, all the big sprinters were at the front ready to try their hand for the win.

Team Quick Step hunts down the break

Like an approaching stormfront, the field thundered toward the line, sprinting eight wide on the expansive boulevard. Quick Step began to lose control of the race, and the sprinters started their charge in earnest, realizing that it was now every man for himself. The bunch kick was a who's who in world class sprinters. Friere, Pagliarini, Bettini, Haedo, Ciolek, Cipollini . . . and Mark Cavendish, who shot out of the bunch to win the stage.

Cavendish (far right) blasted away from the field, but was later relegated for an illegal draft

Or did he? After an official review by UCI representatives, it was determined that Cavendish and Cipollini took illegal drafts from their team cars to get back to the group, and so both were docked with a time penalty. With the win taken away from the Briton, it then fell to the second-placed rider on the stage, Luciano Pagliarini, of Saunier Duval. As he was interviewed after the decision was handed down, Cavendish was clearly confused, and extremely disappointed with the decision of the officials.

In his sights: Levi is one day's ride from his second consecutive TOC overall title

Looking ahead to the final stage, Levi and Astana will hope to defend for one more day to seal the overall victory. Weather for the last day is expected to be cold at about forty degrees, and torrential rain is expected to pour down on the peloton. Expect mass abandons early on, and a war of attrition for the stage victory. The stage features some punchy climbs on the final circuits around Pasadena, and the hard men of the Classics, those who excel in the harshest conditions and are decent climbers, probably have the best chance at victory. Riders to watch include High Road's Kim Kirchin and George Hincapie, Slipstream's Steven Cozza, CSC's Jens Voigt and Karsten Kroon, Toyota's Dominique Rollin, and Kelly Benefit's Alex Candelerio. Whomever manages the win will have earned the victory, after having endured brutal conditions on th final day of the 2008 Tour of California.