Petacchi won his third stage of this year's race

The Italian, of the Fassa Bortolo team, won a sprint finish at the end of a 164km run from Spoleto to Valmontone.

It was Petacchi's third stage victory of this year's race, coming ahead of Germany's Olaf Pollack with Alejandro Alberto Borrajo of Argentina third.

Gilberto Simoni retained the overall lead ahead of Saturday's 214km seventh stage from Frosinone to Montevergine di Mercogliano.

Stage six results:
1. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 4:00:55
2. Olaf Pollack (Ger) Gerolsteiner
3. Alejandro Alberto Borrajo (Arg) Ceramiche Panaria
4. Eddy Mazzolini (Ita) Saeco
5. Andrus Nauduzs (Lat) Domina Vacanze
6. Fred Rodriguez (US) Acqua & Sapone
7. Andrus Aug (Est) Domina Vacanze
8. Alexandre Usov (Blr) Phonak
9. Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto-Domo
10. Michael Albasini (Swi) Phonak all same time

Overall:
(after six stages)
1. Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saeco 27:35:30
2. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Saeco 13 secs behind
3. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Landbouwkrediet 21
4. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi 29
5. Gerhard Trampusch (Aus) Acqua & Sapone 41
6. Giuliano Figueras (Ita) Ceramiche Panaria 45
7. Dario David Cioni (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 52
8. Serhiy Gonchar (Ukr) De Nardi 58
9. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Vini Caldirola 1:05
10. Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) Saeco 1:06