Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA/ALM), 1.62 m tall and 53 kg light, is the big winner of the royal stage. The Giro sixth won the 6th stage Locarno – La Punt. At the same time Pozzovivo had himself dressed in the leader’s jersey.

Thanks to the 10 seconds time credit and the gap at the finish of Damiano Caruso (ITA/BMC) the two Italians were tied in the overall classification. According to the regulations of the UCI, in such a situation, the hundredths of a second from the time trial are used to establish the ranking. That’s how it was on Saturday in Cham: Caruso 47 hundredths, Pozzovivo 12 hundredths – advantage Pozzovivo.

“That was great teamwork. Our plan worked out perfectly by putting Jan Bakelants in the escape group.” The Belgian was 14th in the overall standings and posed a certain danger to his opponents. Afterwards, the action among the overall best concentrated on the last few kilometres at the Albula Pass. As long as Caruso had helpers around him, he was able to maintain his position.

“The stage win was in the foreground. When I married, I had promised my wife to win once again. I also dedicate my success to my colleague Michele Scarponi, who died in a tragic accident on 22 April,” said Pozzovivo, who took advantage of the irregular pace of the main group 4 km before the crest of the Albula to make a decisive attack, caught up with Michael Woods (CAN/CDT) at the top of the pass and narrowly escaped to the finish on the road, which was wet from the rain. Pozzovivo had not won a race for two years. He has been living in Morcote on Lake Lugano for two years. And he has been riding for a French team for four years – an Italian professional cyclist can hardly be much more international.

Matthias Frank (SUI/ALM) stayed in the group of favourites and crossed the finish line with the first chasers (4th with 4 seconds behind). The Swiss, team mate of Pozzovivo, is in 5th place overall, which means that the Ag2R-La Mondiale team will be able to play two cards on Friday at the enormously challenging mountain arrival at Tiefenbachferner above Sölden (AUT). “The tactics will probably not play a role, but rather the strength and good legs,” said Pozzovivo on arrival at 2780 meters above sea level.