ROME, Feb 27, 2009 (AFP) – Liquigas rider Daniele Bennati took the overall lead on Friday in the Tour of Sardinia after he won the 147km fourth stage to Cagliari to establish a 6sec lead over compatriot Oscar Gatto.

Bennati timed 3hr 28min 59sec, edging out fellow Italians Mirco Lorenzetto (Lampre), Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni) and Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) as well as Ukrainian Yury Metlushenko (Amore & Vita) in a dash for the line.

Ballan is 10sec off the pace in third spot overall.

Stage:
1. Daniele Bennati (ITA) Liquigas, 147km in 3hr 28min 59sec, 2. Mirco Lorenzetto (ITA) s.t., 3. Yury Metlushenko (UKR) s.t., 4. Mattia Gavazzi
(ITA) s.t., 5. Alessandro Ballan (ITA) s.t.

Overall:
1. Daniele Bennati (ITA) 16hr 41min 23sec, 2. Oscar Gatto (ITA) at 6sec,
3. Alessandro Ballan (ITA) 10, 4. Jesus Del Nero Montes (ESP) 12, 5. Giovanni Visconti (ITA) s.t.

Photo by: CorVos Pro