Russian Brutt wins fifth stage, Pellizotti leads overall

CONTURSI TERME, Italy (AFP) — Russian Pavel Brutt, riding for the Tinkoff team, won the fifth stage of the Tour of Italy here on Wednesday with Liquigas' Italian rider Franco Pellizotti retaining the leader's pink jersey.

Brutt managed to get away from his four breakaway companions on an incline in the final kilometre following an escape near the start of the stage.

Germany's Johannes Frohlinger finished second four seconds behind, ahead of Colombia's Luis Laverde and Francisco Perez of Spain after the 203km section from Belvedere Marittimo to Contursi Termo held under cloudy and rainy skies.

Scotland's David Millar, who was the other breakaway rider, had a mechanical breakdown in the final kilometre to mess up his chances and he threw his bike over some barriers into a ditch in frustration.

Millar said afterwards: "I was so motivated to get the win that I was just ...