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RACE REPORTS: GIRO D’ITALIA STAGE 6: LLOYD WINS, NIBALI KEEPS JERSEY
Road Bike Action & AFP
May 14, 2010
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(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Australian Matthew Lloyd claimed his maiden victory in a major three-week Tour when he won the sixth stage of the
Tour of Italy, held over 172km from Fidenza to Marina di Carrara on Friday. Italian Vincenzo Nibali of Liquigas kept the leader's pink jersey
after finishing safely in the peloton. Lloyd broke free from escape companion Rubens Bertogliati on the
final category three climb before holding off the Swiss's challenge in the
long run to the finish. German Danilo Hondo took third in a peloton sprint finish.
"I'm shocked, this is incredible," said an
emotional Lloyd. "This race is my goal in cycling. "I've been with this
team (Omega Pharma) four years and it's been a romantic and special
journey. "There's always ups and downs in cycling."
Nibali maintained his 13 second lead over team-mate and compatriot
Ivan Basso with Valerio Agnoli third at 20 seconds. Lloyd and Bertogliati made a break after about 45km and at one stage
had opened up a lead of almost six minutes on the peloton. By the penultimate climb, a category two, which started around 50km
from the finish, the gap had been reduced and several counter-attacks ensued.
The day featured several crashes.
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
There was a brief worry for former Tour de France winner and overall contender Carlos Sastre when he punctured but his Cervelo team eased him
back up to the group without too many difficulties. But the front two held on until the final climb and shortly before
the summit Lloyd made his move. When Lloyd went over the summit, with 11km still to go, he had a lead
of 30-seconds on Bertogliati, which he increased to 47 with 5km remaining.
The Swiss could make no headway while a group of three chasers gave
up the ghost in the final few kilometers and were swallowed by the peloton. Saturday's undulating seventh stage is held over 222km from Carrara
to Montalcino, and pays tribute to Italian great Gino Bartali - who died 10
years ago - as it snakes through some of the former Giro winner's training
roads.
Giro d'Italia Fidenza - Marina di Carrara 172km
1. Matthew Lloyd (AUS/Omega Pharma) 4:24:20
2. Rubens Bertogliati (SUI/AND) at 1:06.
3. Danilo Hondo (GER/LAM) @ 1:15
4. Manuel Belletti (ITA/CSF)
5. Filippo Pozzato (ITA/KAT)
6. William Bonnet (FRA/BTL)
7. Sacha Modolo (ITA/CSF)
8. Vasil Kiryienka (BLR/GCE)
9. Alexander Efimkin (RUS/ALM)
10. Baden Cooke (AUS/SAX)
General Classification After Stage 6
1. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/LIQ) 18:55:38
2. Ivan Basso (ITA/LIQ) 0:13.
3. Valerio Agnoli (ITA/LIQ) 0:20.
4. Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ/AST) 0:33.
5. Vladimir Karpets (RUS/KAT) 0:39.
6. Richie Porte (AUS/SAX) 0:45.
7. David Millar (GBR/GRM) 0:45.
8. Baden Cooke (AUS/SAX) 1:03.
9. Linus Gerdemann (GER/MRM) 1:04.
10. Laurent Didier (LUX/SAX) 1:13.
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