PESCHICI, Italy, May 15, 2008 (AFP) - Italian Matteo Priamo, riding for the CSF team, broke away to win the sixth stage of the Tour of Italy here on Thursday.
Priamo's compatriot Giovanni Visconti, who rides for Quick Step, took the leader's pink jersey.
Priamo built up a decisive lead over the final run-in of the 232km stage from Potenza to Peschici after a breakaway of more than 160km.
"My sole chance was to surprise my rivals," said Priamo. "If I waited until the last kilometre, I was going to be beaten. After my attack 11km from the finish, I was confident. I knew I could beat Perez."
Priamo dedicated his stage win to Argentinian team-mate Ariel Maximiliano Richeze, who tested positive for doping last month and was withdrawn from the Giro on the eve of the race.
"I dedicate this success to all the team, to Richeze, who is a friend, and my family," he said.
Visconti said he aimed to retain the leader's jersey at least for another few days and was dreaming of a stage win whilst wearing it.
"I want to keep this pink jersey until the individual time trial at Urbino" on May 20, he said, adding: "To win a stage with the pink jersey on my back would be a dream."
Spaniard Alan Perez took second place, eight seconds adrift of Priamo, as he struggled with the final climb to the finishing line.
The main peloton, which included overnight leader Franco Pellizotti, crossed the line more than 11 minutes off the pace.
The breakaway came at the 53km mark at the initiative of Estonian Rene Mandri, Germany's Paul Martens and Perez.
Mandri later fell and had to be taken to hospital where he was diagnosed as having suffered a cracked vertebra, broken rib and pneumothorax.
Nine other riders, including Priamo, reeled in the trio, at one point building up a lead of almost 16 minutes over the main peloton.
Priamo, followed by Perez, attacked 12km from the finish and held his nerve to record the most important milestone of his professional cycling career which started in 2006.
Friday's seventh stage sees the riders tackle a mountainous 180km run between Vasto and Pescostanzo.
