BRADLEY Wiggins narrowly failed to write his name into the Tour de France’s history books when he was caught by the peloton with just six kilometres of stage six, from Semur-en-Auxois to Bourg-en-Bresse remaining.

Wiggins launched a gallant solo attack just two kilometres after the start of the stage and after 73 kilometres he had built a remarkable lead of 18 minutes over the main field.

The Londoner’s advantage tumbled steadily to under four minutes, but he enjoyed a second wind and had put another minute between himself and the main field when his chances were wrecked by a puncture with 49 kilometres to go.

The Cofidis rider hurled his wheel away in frustration, but remounted and came heartbreakingly close to taking his maiden stage win.

After over 190 kilometres on his own Wiggins was finally reeled in and the prize instead went to the former World Champion, Belgium’s Tom Boonen, who won the bunch sprint from Spain's Oscar Freire.

Wiggins’ performance was not the day’s only act of heroism. The German Andreas Kloden completed the 199.5 kilometres despite riding with the excruciating pain caused by a fractured coccyx.

He finished with the main field, but his chances of even reaching Paris, let alone challenging for the overall victory, hang by a thread.

Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland retains the leader's yellow jersey.