Italian riders have now won the last four stages of the event

Italian Daniele Bennati prevailed in a tight sprint finish to claim the ninth stage of the Tour of Italy.

Bennati won by less than half the width of a wheel from compatriot Paolo Bettini. Australia's Robbie McEwen was third across the line.

It was the Liquigas rider's second stage win of the event, following his victory in the third leg.

His compatriot Giovanni Visconti, of the Quick Step team, retained the overall lead.

"I took a few risks but the important thing is I won," said Bennati.

"I was going to put my arms up to celebrate before the line but when I saw Paolo coming up I threw my bike at the line and just got it.

"I'm sorry I beat him because I know the stage is close to his hometown, but I wanted to win because it's the only stage in Tuscany where I live.

"We congratulated each after the sprint. We're enemies during the race but we're good friends when we're not shoulder to shoulder."

Bennati's has more opportunities to win on stage 12 to Carpi on Thursday and stage 13 to Cittadella on Friday before the race heads into the mountains.

"There aren't many chances for the sprinters in this Giro, and they're basically the last two flat stages of the race," he said.

Monday is the first of the Giro's two rest days.

It continues on Tuesday with a 39.4km time trial from Pesaro to Urbino.

Giro d'Italia stage nine results:
1. D Bennati (It/Liquigas) 5hrs 30mins 06secs
2. P Bettini (It/Quick-Step) =
3. R McEwen (Aus/Silence-Lotto) =
4. E Zabel (Ger/Milram) =
5. K Fernandez (Sp/Euskaltel) =
6. R Foerster (Ger/Gerolsteiner) =
7. M Cavendish (GB/High Road) =
8. T Dall'Antonia (It/CSF Group) =
9. J Dean (NZ/Slipstream) =
10. A Usov (Blr/AG2R) =

General classification:
1. G Visconti (It) 42 hrs 14 mins 16 secs
2. M Russ (Ger) @ 9 secs
3. G Bosisio (It) @ 5:53
4. D Di Luca (It) @ 7:27
5. E Sella (It) @ 7:32
6. R Ricco (It) @ 7:33
7. F Rafael Cardenas (Col) @ 7:46
8. A Contador (Sp) @ 7:56
9. F Pellizotti (It) @ 8:11
10. V Nibali (It) @ 8:15