Francesco Chicci (Liquigas) won the penultimate stage of the Tour of Missouri on Saturday in St Joseph, edging out former race leader and sprint rival Thor Hushovd (Cervelo).
Chicchi out-paced Hushovd and another former leader of this year's race, Argentian fastman Juan Jose Haedo.
The fast-paced stage saw attacks coming from all angles as riders attempt to grab some glory before the race's conclusion. However, the sprinters' teams brought everything back together for another bunch finish.
David Zabriskie (Garmin-Slipstream) maintained his race lead, won on Friday thanks to his blistering performance in the individual time trial - the only stage so far that hasn't ended in a mass sprint.
It now looks very likely that - barring disaster - Zabriskie will give his Garmin team another cause for celebration on Sunday having had a particularly good week in major races.
The Tour of Missouri concludes on Sunday, September 13, with a short 116.4km circuit race around Kansas City.
Results
Tour of Missouri 2009: Stage six, Chillicothe-St Joseph, 177.4km
1. Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Liquigas in 3-41-41
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2. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo
3. Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Arg) Colavita-Sutter Home
4. Keven Lacombe (Can) Planet Energy
5. Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Team Columbia-HTC
6. Martin Gilbert (Can) Planet Energy
7. Danilo Wyss (Swi) BMC Racing Team
8. Alex Candelario (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies
9. Dario Cataldo (Ita) Quick Step
10. Kiel Reijnen (USA) Jelly Belly all same time.
Overall classification after stage six
1. David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin-Slipstream in 19-53-45
2. Gustav Larsson (Swe) Team Saxo Bank at 30sec
3. Tom Zirbel (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling at 44sec
4. Marco Pinotti (Ita) Team Columbia-HTC at 45sec
5. Dario Cataldo (Ita) Quick Step at 1-02
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana at 1-09
7. Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling at 1-14
8. Dominique Cornu (Bel) Quick Step at 1-15
9. Lars Ytting Bak (Den) Team Saxo Bank at 1-16
10. Rory Sutherland (Aus) OUCH-Maxxis at 1-22
David Zabriskie wears the yellow leader's jersey
Related links
Stage five: Zabriskie gives Garmin second victory of the day
Stage four: Haedo comes good
Cavendish withdraws from Missouri with illness
Stage three: Hushovd wins stage and takes lead
Stage two: Cavendish takes his second stage
Stage one: Cavendish wins opening stage
Mark Cavendish: Rider Profile
Cavendish to miss Tour of Britain
Leipheimer to ride Missouri
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