Cycling: Di Luca wins fifth stage in Italy

Italy's Danilo Di Luca has won the fifth stage of the Giro d'Italia.

In his second year as a professional, the 24-year-old won his seventh career title with a spectacular uphill sprint finish.

The 221 kilometre course from Matera to the seaside resort of Peschici was dominated by the Italians, with Mladimir Belli, Paolo Lanfranchi and Francesco Casagrande coming in second, third and fourth respectively.

The stage also led to the crowning of a new Italian overall leader. Matteo Tosatto will wear the pink jersey for Friday’s race, after moving three seconds ahead of the his compatriot, Christian Moreni, who held the lead for three days.

The two Swiss riders competing in the Giro fared less well. Daniel Schnider, apparently still suffering from his tumble on Wednesday, crossed the line more than 12 minutes behind the leaders. Schnider is now 98th in the overall standings. Niki Aebersold finished in 54th place, leaving him 67th overall.

Friday’s 170 kilometre sixth stage favours sprint specialists with a fairly flat route from Peschici to the southern town of Vasto in the Abruzzo region. The three-week Giro ends in Milan on June 4.

swissinfo with agencies