A furious sprint finish, two smiling Colombians and some level crossing madness. There’s never a dull day in the battle for the trident!

Stage 6: Ascoli Piceno to Civitanova Marche, 168km

After a flurry of  late attacks the fast men finally got their way and the Quick Step Floor delivered Fernando Gaviria to perfection. The young Colombian held his speed to just pip Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) on the line. Jasper Stuyven‘s (Trek-Segafredo) third was just reward for some feisty riding by the team in the finale. The King of Mountains jersey was wrapped up by the breakaway bandit Davide Ballerini (Androni Giocatolli-Sidermec), despite a bizarre level crossing decision by the race commissionaires. What is it with bike races and level crossings?

The top 10 on GC all finished safely in the bunch. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) goes into the final TT with +50secs on Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) and +1.06mins on BMC’s Rohan Dennis in third. We may see some changes to the podium order at end of play.

Highlights…

Midge’s Milan San Remo peaking on time (just don’t mention the Bearded Pirate Shirley Temple!) …

Androni Giacatolli with two visits to the podium…

First with smile that lights his face – the young Colombian Egan Bernal. He’s held the jersey since stage 5, and hopes to defend it at the TT tomorrow.

and of course Davide Ballerini

Lotta Lotto love…

Full report at Cycling News.

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Header image: Fernando Gaviria  © Tim de Waele/Corbis via Getty Images