LYON, France, July 11 (UPI) -- Alessandro Petacchi won the 143-mile sprint from Nevers to Lyon for his fourth victory in six stages at the Tour de France.
Lance Armstrong and his United States Postal Service team finished in the main pack. Armstrong remained second overall as he tries to become just the second rider in history to win the prestigious race five consecutive years.
His teammate, Victor Hugo Pena of Colombia, maintained a one-second edge and will wear the yellow jersey for the 143-mile seventh stage from Lyon to Morzine-Avoriaz.
The U.S. Postal Service team occupies the top eight spots in the
overall standings. The mountain stages, where Armstrong has been strongest, begin Saturday.
Petacchi, known as "White Lightning," finished in 5:08:35. Stuart O'Grady and Anthony Geslin set the pace Friday, breaking away about 20 miles into the race. They were some 18 minutes ahead at one point.
