Volta a Catalunya 2016: Davide Cimolai powers to victory, Quintana still leads GC

At 197.2 kilometres, stage 6 in the Volta a Catalunya leads to Vilanova i la Geltrú. Four escapees are brought back in the last kilometre and then Davide Cimolai powers to an impressive sprint victory. With one hilly stage left Nairo Quintana is still in the lead, but Contador is breathing down his neck while Porte and Dan Martin are not without chances either. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results stage 6 Volta a Catalunya

1. Davide Cimolai (ita)
2. Nikias Arndt (ger) s.t.
3. Tosh Van der Sande (bel) s.t.
4. Simon Gerrans (aus) s.t.
5. Daril Impey (rsa) s.t.
6. Petr Vakoc (cze) s.t.
7. Alexey Tcatevich (rus) s.t.
8. Jonas Van Genechten (bel) s.t.
9. Bert-Jan Lindeman (nld) s.t.
10. Lorenzo Manzin (fra) s.t.

GC after stage 6
1. Nairo Quintana (col)
2. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.07
3. Richie Porte (aus) + 0.17
4. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.18
5. Tejay van Garderen (usa) + 0.27
6. Romain Bardet (fra) + 0.32
7. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) + 0.42
8. Chris Froome (gbr) + 0.46
9. Hugh Carty (gbr) + 1.01
10. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 1.16

Race report
Lead by Etixx the peloton races to the first intermediate sprint. Daniel Martin outsprints Gilbert and Bardet and takes a time bonus of 3 seconds.

Despite several attempts it lasts until km 60 before the break of the day takes shape. Hesjedal, Chaves, Ten Dam, Minnaard, Lindeman, Vakoc, Domont, Molard, Meyer, Hesjedal and Hardy race to a maximum lead of 5’15”.

When the gap is down to 2 minutes Domont, Lindeman and Meyer accelerate in the front group and Howes and Hesjedal are dropped.

Lindeman, Vakoc, Molard and Meyer prove to be the strongest riders at the front and it’s only in the last km that they are brought back. Cimolai powers to the first Lampre-victory in 2016.