It was expected that Robert Gesink and Bauke Mollema would deliver the success for Belkin in Tirreno-Adriatico but after the failed GC campaign, the team put their faith in Robert Wagner in today's sprint stage. The German avoided the big crash at the end and took a solid 6th place.

Robert Wagner took the chance to show himself in Tirreno-Adriatico's sixth stage and delivered. A spill in the final two kilometres hindered Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM's German in his run-up, but he still managed to place sixth. 

Omega Pharma-QuickStep's Mark Cavendish led after the crash and he won the 189-kilometre stage from Bucchianico to Porto Sant'Elpidio virtually uncontested. 

"The crash took place right in front of me," said Wagner. "I was lucky to stay on my bike. I was in a very good spot, you can say a perfect position, but the crash created a gap between me and the Omega Pharma train and I could not get back up for the win." 

Wagner said that he is happy with sixth place regardless.

"This is a good result even if I would've liked to have finished fifth as that would've given the team a WorldTour point. I'm glad that I survived the climbs along the way as Cannondale rode a high pace in an attempt to drop as many riders as possible." 

The green and black Belkin boys delivered Wagner to his sixth place.

"They did a great job," said Wagner. "They fully supported me and that felt very good. This gives me motivation to return the favour the next time. Normally, I'm more of a helper and the switch to being a leader wasn't very easy, but I think it went well." 
 

The Tirreno-Adriatico will finish tomorrow with a flat 9.1-kilometre race against the clock. Wagner plans for another top finish.

"I love this kind of time trial. I will give it my all even if I'm not as fresh anymore after six big days of racing."

You can read our preview of the final stage here and follow our love coverage at 14.15 CET on CyclingQuotes.com/live.