METZ, France (July 6, 2012)--Peter Sagan of Slovakia edged Andre Greipel of Germany in a sprint finish to win the sixth stage of the Tour de France Friday.

Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland retained the yellow jersey for a seventh day after the 129-mile ride from Epernay to Metz through the Champagne region.

Giro d'Italian champion Ryder Hesjedal, Frank Schleck and Mark Cavendish were among the riders involved in a huge crash that split the peloton 16 miles from the finish.