Armstrong unscathed in fall

ANGERS, France, July 9 (UPI) -- Tom Boonen of Belgium won the sixth stage of the Tour de France Friday while Lance Armstrong was among a host of riders who hit the pavement.

Armstrong, seeking his record sixth straight tour title, quickly rebounded from his spill early in the stage and was part of the main pack that finished just behind Boonen.

Armstrong, therefore, remained in sixth place overall -- more than nine minutes off the lead of Thomas Voeckler. None of those in front of Armstrong is expected to challenge him for the overall title.

Boonen, riding for the Quick Step Davitamon team, edged out Australian Stuart O'Grady and German Erik Zabel in a sprint finish after a breakaway bid from Spanish rider Juan Antonio Flecha failed just one kilometer from home.

Flecha had been one of six riders to launch an early breakaway, but as his fellow escapees were reeled in, the Spaniard made a solo bid for glory in the ride from Bonneval to Angers.

Voeckler also fell as part of a huge pileup less than a kilometer from the finish.