Marcel Kittel won his second stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico race and Michal Kwiatkowski remained in the overall lead on Monday ahead of the closing time trial.
Kittel edged Peter Sagan, who had been held up by a crash with about seven kilometers left of the 153-kilometer (95-mile) sixth stage from Numana to Fano. Maximiliano Richeze was third.
Germany's Marcel Kittel celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 6th stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico cycling race, from Numana to Fano, Italy, Monday, March 12, 2018. (Dario Belingheri/ANSA via AP)
One of the favorites, Fernando Gaviria, touched the wheel of another cyclist and went down, taking others with him. Sagan was just behind Gaviria and somehow managed to stay upright, but the world champion was forced to use a lot of energy to get back up to the front of the peloton.
Kittel's other stage win was for the sprinters on Thursday.
Germany's Marcel Kittel, right, hugs a teammate as he celebrates after winning the 6th stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico cycling race, from Numana to Fano, Italy, Monday, March 12, 2018. (Dario Belingheri/ANSA via AP)
"When there was the crash with Fernando Gaviria, I was just on the left side of the Quick-Step riders. Seconds later I heard it was Gaviria. I feel sorry for him, but we remained focused on our goal," Kittel said. "I'm very proud of the team. We controlled the race.
"We always said that we'd decide after Tirreno-Adriatico if I'd go to Milan-Sanremo but things are now looking good after two stage wins."
Germany's Marcel Kittel receives the kisses of the race's hostesses after winning the 6th stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico cycling race, from Numana to Fano, Italy, Monday, March 12, 2018. (Dario Belingheri/ANSA via AP)
Kwiatkowski remained three seconds ahead of Damiano Caruso, with Mikel Landa 20 seconds further back.
"I didn't want to lose Tirreno-Adriatico by a few seconds without trying to get the time bonus in the intermediate sprint," Kwiatkowski said. "I didn't make it but, at the end of the day, we have to be very happy with the stage and keep focus on tomorrow's time trial for a perfect end."
Poland's Michal Kwiatkowski wears the overall leader's jersey as he attends the podium ceremony after completing the 6th stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico cycling race, from Numana to Fano, Italy, Monday, March 12, 2018. (Dario Belingheri/ANSA via AP)
The final stage is a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) individual time trial in San Benedetto del Tronto.