Ricco wins Tour de France stage

BESSE ET SAINT ANASTAISE, France, July 10 (UPI) -- Riccardo Ricco won his first Tour de France stage Thursday but a crash near the finish led to a change at the top of the race's overall standings.

Ricco, from Italy, used a finishing kick to outdistance Alejandra Valverde and Cadel Evans in the 117.3-mile sixth stage. The route from Aigurande to the Super-Besse ski resort featured the first Category 2 ascents of the 2008 Tour de France, including a 10-percent grade climb the final mile of the route.

Valverde, Ricco and Evans were in front when the riders hit the final climb. With about 300 yards to go, Ricco moved ahead and held off Valverde and Evans by 1 second. Ricco was timed at 4 hours, 57 minutes and 52 seconds.

Frank Schleck and Kim Kirchen, placed fourth and fifth, respectively, were both timed at 4 seconds behind Ricco.

Stefan Schumacher, who took the overall lead Tuesday, was involved in a crash near the end of Thursday's race and finished 25th, 32 seconds behind the leader. That allowed Kirchen, from Luxembourg, to take the yellow jersey as the overall leader. He owns a 6-second lead over Evans and 16 seconds over Schumacher.

Friday's stage seven of the Tour de France runs 95.4 miles from Brioude to Aurille and includes two Category 2 and two Category 3 climbs.