ROME, March 26, 2009 (AFP) – Damiano Cunego won his second stage in a row to take the overall lead in the Coppi e Bartali race following Thursday’s 163.4km fourth stage from Borgo San Lorenzo to Serramazzoni.

Lampre rider Cunego out sprinted Australian Cadel Evans to take the leader’s pink jersey from Italian countryman Giovanni Visconti.

The day’s racing was marked by a break from Kanstantin Siutsou, Felix Cardenas and Enrico Rossi but they were caught 10km from home.

With 1km left Evans made a bid for home on a steep climb but Cunego caught him and pipped him to the post.

Friday’s fifth and penultimate stage takes the riders from Massa Finalese to Finale Emilia over 178km.