Stage winner Matteo Priamo, with a historical surname and two wins in the Tour of Turkey, has injected a burst of enthusiasm into his CSF-Navigare team. "After the crash in Catanzaro involving my team-mate Dall'Antonia, I didn’t even think I could go on with the Giro. I couldn’t move my leg at all, and then it slowly got better. A dedication? For Max Richeze [who tested positive for steroids before the start of the Giro, Editor]. I want him to know that we’re on his side.”

Jason McCartney (CSC) was part of the decisive break when the peloton in Giro d'Italia took on the sixth stage of the race yesterday. "They fought really hard to get away at the beginning of the stage. For the first two hours the average speed was about 50 kilometers per hour – and it wasn't because the route was flat that's for sure. As planned Jason made the break but unfortunately he wasn't quite strong enough when the whole thing was decided. Today's stage shows that this year's Giro is very unpredictable and most definitely good entertainment. The tactical play for the lead means there are a lot of breaks and the fact that the final week is as tough as it is, means that the main favorites are nervous about exposing themselves too early in the game,” said CSC sports director Kim Andersen following the stage.

Shortly after the sixth stage of the Giro d'Italia had ended, two emotions were fighting for priority with German Rabobank rider Paul Martens: disappointment and satisfaction. Martens finished fourth, half a minute behind victor Matteo Priamo. "When such an escape succeeds you want to win, so in that sense I am a bit disappointed," said Martens. "But finishing with the first five in the first week of my first major tour is also obviously satisfying."

It was Martens himself had staged this attack after 53 kilometers, along with Alan Pérez Lezaun (second) and Réne Mandri (dropped out after a crash that caused broken ribs and a punctured lung). "It is difficult; on days like this, two-thirds of the pack wants to be on an escape. Yesterday I focused on Jens Voigt; he always wants to jump away. But it is impossible to focus on just one person, though. It is matter of some gambling and having very good legs."

Kazakh national champion Maxim Iglinskiy (Astana) came in fifth. “It was hard,” claimed Iglinskiy after the stage. “Maybe I let a chance go by to win a Giro stage. Priamo and Perez were not better than the others but they played it very well tactically. We all made the mistake to look at Visconti. Visconti did not react and the two were gone!” He continued, “It is a pity, but the Giro is not over yet and I will try again. Now I cannot think about it, I am too tired. Anyway I am happy that my condition is better now. The last few days I suffered a bit with my health and I’m happy it’s going better now,” Iglinskiy said

With the final climb, the Giro will come into the next fase today. Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) said: "Now the others have to prove something. Some people want to win the Giro, but you’ll see that they won’t even get to wear the pink jersey. Contador and Klöden have saved a lot of energy, you’ll see that in the time trial they’ll leave everyone minutes behind.”

Paolo Bettini (Quickstep) said: "Contador is in great form, he’s getting better every day.”

Barloworlds Enrico Gasparotto said:"Liquigas and LPR are racing the best. This Giro is going to be won by the racer who has a few more drops of energy.” The finish in Pescocostanzo will tell whether the progress of the Spaniard, 13th across the finish line, behind Bennati, corresponds to a winning strategy, but the group’s feeling is that they will have to face the (weakened) dragon soon. Very soon."