Lloyd climbs to first Grand Tour victory

CYCLING: Australia's Matthew Lloyd won stage six of the Giro d'Italia yesterday after a day-long break as Vincenzo Nibali held on to the race leader's pink jersey for a third successive day.

Lloyd (Omega Pharma-Lotto) went clear along with Swiss rider Rubens Bertogliati (Androni Giocattoli), but attacked on the final climb of the 172-kilometres stage from Fidenza to Marina di Carrara to claim his first Grand Tour victory.

Bertogliati finished one minute six seconds behind as Lloyd celebrated a solo success which saw him take the green king of the mountains jersey.

Italy's Nibali (Liquigas) finished safely in the peloton to retain the maglia rosa with a 13-second lead over compatriot and team-mate Ivan Basso.

Germany's Danilo Hondo (Lampre) led the bunch home nine seconds behind Bertogliati.