Intro:

Russia's Sergei Chernetsky won a sprint finish to take Stage 6 of the Volta a Catalunya for Katusha in Spain on Saturday (28th March), and Australian Team Sky rider Richie Porte retains his overall lead.

Script:

After Alejandro Valverde cruised stage 5 of the Volta a Catalunya the mountain climb was always likely to be a closer affair.

Stage 6 saw the riders take on the 197.7 kilometre route between Cervera and Port Aventura.

Tejan Van Garderen - the overall leader in the mountain climbs - hit the front early in the red jersey forcing a split in the lead peloton.

As the main group separated, those behind looked to keep Van Garderen's tails and this caused a mass pile up.

Overall leader Richie Porte of Team Sky kept out of trouble.

However, there was no such luck for Alberto Contador, third overnight.

The Spaniard suffered a painful looking fall in the last three kilometres.

At the head of the race, Frenchman Julien Alaphilippe (ETIXX-Quick Step) hit the front inside the final kilometre, but seemed to hesitate with the line in sight.

Russian, Sergei Chernetski chased him down bringing a grandstand finish.

Chernetski clearly unsure as to whether he'd taken the win, yet replays proved the Russian got his front wheel to the line first.

It was the first World Tour win of Chernetski's career.

Porte maintained his overall lead of five seconds, with Contador seven seconds off the Sky rider.

The race reaches its climax on Sunday starting and finishing in Barcelona.