Last climb too much to take for Millar

BARCELONA (Reuters) - David Millar came close to his fourth Tour de France victory but a 1.7-km climb at the end of the sixth stage proved too much for the Briton on Thursday.

The Garmin-Slipstream rider attacked a group of four fugitives with 29 km left in the ride from Girona to Barcelona only to be swallowed by the peloton 1.5 km from the line.

"When I saw that climb, I had the feeling it was five km long and I was a bit discouraged," Millar told reporters.

"In the first week, I did not really have opportunities to attack so this stage was a good one. I am not too disappointed.

"I rode more with my heart than with my head."

Millar finished the stage in 96th place, one minute 21 seconds behind winner Thor Hushovd of Norway.

The 32-year-old last won a stage of the Tour in 2003. He served a two-year ban after admitting to doping in 2004.

Garmin-Slipstream sports director Matthew White said: "Too bad the last two kilometres were not flat. He can be proud of himself, though."

Garmin have their European base in Girona, and Millar has his home in Cornella Del Terli, 15 km from where the stage started.