Joao Almeida and Tao Geoghegan Hart tried to hurt Primoz Rogerci on the steep final slope of the Tirreno-Adriatico stage 6, but Rogerci bit them both and won the finish sprint for the third consecutive day to take the overall win.

Rogerci gained an additional 10-second time bonus for his victory in Osimo, extending his lead over Almeida to 18 seconds. Geoghegan Hart finished second in this stage and also jumped up to third, 23 seconds ahead of Leonard Kemna (Bora-Hansgrohe).

Sunday's final stage to San Benedetto del Tronto should be a day of control and sprint finishes, even if Geoghegan Hart does not try to secure a podium spot.

"There is still one more day. I'm not going to say anything until the job is done," the Londoner told Cycling News.

Geoghegan Hart initially continued to ride beyond the finish area, once again making good on his disappointment of losing to Roglic.

Ineos riders finished fifth, third, and second over the three days.

"I got stuck in the barriers. It almost saved my life because I didn't want to go too fast like yesterday.

"The stage was like a tough World Championships course and I was sitting on Michal Kwiatkowski's wheel for 150km. I felt safe on the final climb and even backed off a bit, thinking I could close the gap before the finish. But once again I was beaten by Roglic."

Almeida took third place in the sprint for Osimo and tried to catch Roglic on the final steep climb to the hilltop village. He moved into second place overall.

"Primosz Roglic never dies. He is the strongest rider in the peloton after Tadej Pogachar," Almeida told Cycling News with respect for his teammate.

"I'm not afraid of him or anyone else, I did my race and got the result. I attacked and I think I did some damage to the other riders. I didn't win a stage, but it's a good result for GC."

"I'm only five seconds behind Tao Geoghegan Hart, and there's an intermediate sprint, but not five seconds.

Almeida will again lead UAE Team Emirates in the Giro d'Italia. He wanted to show that he is on track for May, when the Corsa Rosa starts in this part of Italy, just two months away.

"I wanted to win, but second place in Tirreno is also a good result.

"2022 was not my lucky year, with Covid in the Giro, for example.

"The Giro is my main goal, but I think we are on schedule, keeping our feet on the ground and working hard.