Joaquin Rodriquez won the sixth stage of the Tirreno-Adriactico this afternoon.
This was a 181km stage which comprised of six laps around Offida and saw Matt Goss and Phillip Gilbert pull out before the start of the stage.
Mark Cavendish got himself into the early group but with Saturday's Milan-San Remo on his mind and no chance of a win today or tomorrow, he pulled out.
Seven riders away was trimmed down to four on the final climb and Movistar's Andre Amador, FDJ's Arthur Vichot, Omega Pharma Quick Step's Serge Pauwels and Acqua & Sapone's Carlos Betancur were away.
The peloton led by race leader Chris Horner and Fabia Cancellera started to make in roads into their lead and the quartet were only 23 seconds ahead with ten kilometres to go.
With 5.2kms to go, they were swallowed up by the peloton which was racing at an average speed of 39kmph.
AG2R's Christophe Riblon went ahead being chased by a group of thirteen riders.
Joaquin Rodriquez attacked with a kilometre to go and he took the win in a time of 4.38:27 with Nibali in second.
Horner keeps his blue jersey by five seconds from Kreuziger and six seconds from Nibali.
Tomorrow's final stage is a time trial.