Michael Matthews Wins Giro d’Italia Stage 6

AFP / Yuzuru Sunada

Race leader Michael Matthews of Australia won the grueling sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday as compatriot Cadel Evans lurked on a day’s racing marred by a nasty crash. Matthews, 23, surged home in a sprint finish to the 257km stage from Sassano to Montecassino, the longest on the Tour, ahead of Belgian Tim Wellens and Evans.

The leading peloton had a 49 second advantage over the main chasing pack that included a host of rivals to Evans, the big beneficiary of the day’s racing. Heavy rain made for a slick surface and there were two falls in the final 12km, 8.7km of which was a steep climb.

Evan’s BMC teammate, Switzerland’s Steve Morabito, accelerated away to build up a lead that the fallen riders were unable to reel in. In the general classication, Matthews has a 21 second lead over Evans, with Colombian Rigoberto Uran at 1:18.

Friday’s seventh stage is a 231km ride from Frosinone to Foligno.

Giro d’Italia Stage 6
1. Michael Matthews (AUS/ORI) 6:37:01
2. Tim Wellens (BEL/LTB) @ s.t.
3. Cadel Evans (AUS/BMC) s.t.
4. Matteo Rabottini (ITA/NRI)
5. Ivan Santaromita (ITA/ORI) @ :13
6. Steve Morabito (SUI/BMC) @ :23
7. Wilco Kelderman (NED/BKN) @ :49
8. Mauro Finetto (ITA/NRI) s.t.
9. Diego Ulissi (ITA/LAM)
10. Fabio Duarte (COL/COL)

General Classification After Stage 6
1. Michael Matthews (AUS/ORI) 24:18:14
2. Cadel Evans (AUS/BMC) @ :21
3. Rigoberto Uran (COL/OPQ) @ 1:18
4. Rafal Majka (POL/TIN) @ 1:25
5. Steve Morabito (SUI/BMC) @ s.t.
6. Matteo Rabottini (ITA/NRI)
7. Ivan Santaromita (ITA/ORI) @ 1:47
8. Fabio Aru (ITA/AST) @ 1:51
9. Tim Wellens (BEL/LTB) @ 1:52
10. Ivan Basso (ITA/CAN) @ 2:06