Cycling: Tonkov retains advantage

Roberto Sgambelluri pulled away over the final 100 metres yesterday to win the sixth stage of the Giro d'Italia. Pavel Tonkov retained the overall lead.

The Italian, who completed the hilly, 130-mile haul from Rieti to Lanciano in 5hr 9min 57sec, was part of a group of 10 cyclists who broke away from the pack early and built up a lead of about 90 seconds with less than 20 miles to go. At the finish, only the Italians Fulvio Frigo and Michele Coppolillo challenged Sgambelluri.

Tonkov, a Russian who won the Giro last year, finished with the main bunch, who were close enough to the winner that the top of the overall standings remained unchanged. He took the overall lead by winning Monday's individual time trial, and lengthened it with another stage victory on Wednesday.

Today's seventh stage, which has a flat finish after a 130-mile run to Mondragone will favour the sprinters.