Ivanov wins sixth stage of Tour de Suisse
Russia's Serguei Ivanov has won the sixth stage of the Tour de Suisse road cycling race at Mendrisio, making it the second consecutive victory for a Russian competitor.
Ivanov completed the 174-kilometre stage in a time of four hours and 27 seconds, ahead of Alexandre Vinokourov from Kazakhstan and Frenchman Laurent Jalabert.
The circuit race from Mendrisio was a more gentle ride after Saturday’s exertions when Russia’s Dimitri Konyshev won a stage dominated by two 1,687 metre climbs up the Gotthard pass.
Alexandre Moos led the Swiss contingent around Mendrisio on Sunday, coming fourth. Beat Zberg came eighth and Laurent Dufaux ninth.
Italy’s Wladimir Belli maintained his lead at the top of the overall classification. The Giro d’Italia winner leads fellow Italian, Gilberto Simoni, by one second. Two-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong is just 25 seconds off the pace.
Monday’s stage from Locarno to Naters sees a dramatic return to the Swiss Alps. The 156,6-kilometre stage includes the top category climb up the Nufenenpass (2,478 m). The cyclists will also need strong nerves on the steep road down.
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