Belgium's Tom Steels beat Australian rider Robbie McEwen in a thrilling sprint finish to clinch the sixth stage of the Tour of Cataluyna on Saturday.

Steels and McEwen were neck-and-neck as the entered the final straight of the 108.1 kilometre race, but the Belgian had the power to claim the win.

Fabio Baldato of Italy finished the Llivia to Montcada I Reixac course, the penultimate stage of the race, in third and Germany's Danilo Hondo was fourth.

The result leaves Spain's Roberto Heras of the US Postal team in first place in the overall standings, 31 seconds ahead of compatriot Aitor Garmendia in second.

After the race, Heras said he was hopeful he could secure his first victory since he won the Tour of Spain two years ago.

He said: "We are going to have to be very alert on tomorrow's final stage, but I have always wanted to win a race in Barcelona and tomorrow is my chance to realise that dream."

Earlier in the stage, Spain's Oscar Laguna and Italian rider Pietro Caucchioli moved ahead of the field, but timed their break too early and were caught by the chasing pack with just under two kilometres to go.

Sunday's final stage is the 115.9km run from Montcada I Reixac to the centre of Barcelona.

Tour of Catalunya

Sixth stage leading results:
from the 180.1km Llivia to Montcada I Reixac course

1. Tom Steels (Bel) Mapei 4 hrs 10 mins 40 secs
2. Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto
3. Fabio Baldato (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
4. Danilo Hondo (Ger) Telekom
5. Carlos Torrent (Spa) Jazztel
6. Mikel Artetxe (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
7. Alberto Vinale (Ita) Alessio
8. Roberto Lozano (Spa) Kelme
9. Benjamin Noval (Spa) Relax-Fuenlabrada
10. Ludo Dierckxsens (Bel) Lampre-Daikin all same time

Overall standings:

1. Roberto Heras (Spa) US Postal 14 hrs 43 mins 8 secs
2. Aitor Garmendia (Spa) Team Coast 31 seconds behind
3. Luis Perez (Spa) Team Coast 44
4. Mikel Zarrabeitia (Spa) ONCE 51
5. Fernando Escartin (Spa) Team Coast 1:00
6. Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) iBanesto.com 1:04
7. David Plaza (Spa) Team Coast 1:38
8. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 1:47
9. Benjamin Noval (Spa) Relax-Fuenlabrada 1:48
10. Jose Antonio Garrido (Spa) Jazztel 1:51