Tour de France 2013: stage six – in pictures

Joaquím Rodriguez of Spain and the Katusha Team's saddle, seen before the start of the race Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

The world road race champion Philippe Gilbert of Belgium and the BMC Racing Team signs an autograph for a young fan Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

A tattoo on the leg of France's Sylvain Chavanel as he waits to start Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

The overall leader Simon Gerrans of Australia and Orica-GreenEdge enjoys himself before the race starts Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Riders line up for the start of the sixth stage … Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

… and they're off! The peloton passes beneath an aqueduct Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

New Zealand's Jack Bauer rides next to his team vehicle Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

The pack passes snails in a field Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

Denmark's Brian Vandborg takes a water bottle while riding Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

A line of trees provides shade for the pack as they ride through the mid-afternoon heat Photograph: Laurent Cipiriani/AP

Britain's Chris Froome sweats as he pedals during stage six Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

The sun casts tiny shadows on the tarmac as the pack progresses through the stage Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

The peloton spreads out Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

It wouldn't be easy to complete the 176.5km course on this old bone-shaker Photograph: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters

André Greipel of Germany celebrates crossing the finish line, ahead of second-placed Peter Sagan of Slovakia and fourth-placed Mark Cavendish of Britain, to win the sixth stage of the Tour de France Photograph: Laurent Rebours/AP

Daryl Impey of South Africa and Orica-GreenEdge celebrates in the yellow jersey after becoming the new overall leader Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images