Rough day for the men in green, Doogan bows out | Tour de l'Avenir | Sticky Bottle

Team Mexico's Isaac del Toro celebrates as he bested the pack on a brutal stage at the Tour de l'Avenir (Photo: Zoé Soullard).

By Dara Smith Naughton

Archie Ryan's two stage-streak of top 10 finishes came to a definitive end today at the Tour de l'Avenir as the 21-year old came home in 42nd, 11 minutes behind the stage winner. Mexico's Isaac del Toro conquered the challenge of the Col de la Loze to take the honours of stage 6.

Teammate Jamie Meehan was to follow over the finish line with the same time, earning himself a 45th place on the day. Ryan and Meehan have impressed thus far at the Tour, with both their names featuring in the latter moments of races on more than one occasion.

A day that begun with positivity for Odhran Doogan, as he tried his hand in an early breakaway before being dropped, would soon end in disappointing fashion. The 19-year old was unable to finish the stage due to a bad crash, his second serious fall of the race. That was a very unfortunate turn of events for Doogan who has really emerged as a very strong U23 in the last couple of seasons.

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Kevin McCambridge was also present in early reports as he showed ambition, being the first rider to attack the peloton at the outset of the day. His venture lasted no longer than the opening 10km as he would ultimately take a 66th place, 15 minutes behind the race winner.

Today's challenge proved a leap too far for the Irish representatives however, with both Ryan and Meehan losing touch with the peloton in the final 20km. Ryan remained in the pack heading into the final 10km, before being distanced alongside Spanish rider, Xabier Isasa Larranaga.

Today's events have had no impact on Archie Ryan's General Classification placing as he remains in 31st place, just over 12 minutes from the yellow jersey. Meehan has even managed to jump three places into 36th place.

A day to forget for the Irish team following a punishing course which saw the riders tackle the highest climb in this year's Tour de France, the Col de la Loze. With two stages to go, Team Ireland has now been whittled down to a trio of Ryan, Meehan and McCambridge.

Stage 7 sees a unique day as the riders have an early start with an 11km uphill time trial at 9.30am (CET), followed by a 70km mountainous race. The day culminating on the Category 2 climb, the Val-Cenis Col du Mont Cenis.