Ignatiev wins Tirreno-Adriatico 6th stage

ROME, March 15, 2010 (AFP) – Russia’s Mikhail Ignatiev won the 134km sixth stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico race between Montecosaro and Macerata on Monday.

The Katusha rider was followed across the line by home hope Stefano Garzelli with Australian Cadel Evans in third.

Italy’s Michele Scarponi, riding for the Androni team, retained his lead in the overall standings but Garzelli is now only two seconds adrift in second ahead of Tuesday’s seventh and final stage.

Ignatiev prevailed as the sole survivor of a 12-man breakaway at the 8km mark.

He came in five seconds clear of Garzelli and Evans.

- Results of the Tirreno-Adriatico 134km sixth stage between Montecosaro and Macerata on Monday:

1. Mikhail Ignatiev (RUS) Katusha 3hr 18min 09sec,
2. Stefano Garzelli (ITA) Acque e Sapone at 05s,
3. Cadel Evans (AUS) BMC s.t.,
4. Robert Gesink (NED) Rabobank 07,
5. Benoit Vaugrenard (FRA) Francaise des Jeux s.t.,
6. Michele Scarponi (ITA) Androni s.t.,
7. Michael Rogers (AUS) Columbia s.t.,
8. Francesco Gavazzi (ITA) Lampre 09,
9. Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA) CSF 11,
10. Rigoberto Uran Uran (COL) Caisse d’Epargne s.t.

Overall standings
1. Michele Scarponi (ITA) Androni 26hr 59min 00sec,
2. Stefano Garzelli (ITA) Acqua e Sapone at 02,
3. Cadel Evans (AUS) BMC 12,
4. Maxim Iglinskiy (KAZ) Astana 22,
5. Robert Gesink (NED) Rabobank 27,
6. Michael Rogers (AUS) Columbia 29,
7. Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA) CSF 33,
8. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) Liquigas 42,
9. Manuele Mori (ITA) Lampre 1:04,
10. Francesco Gavazzi (ITA) Lampre 1:07