Another damp day for the Kiwis at cycling's Giro D'Italia

George Bennett and Patrick Bevin ground their way to the finish in 42nd and 44th places respectively across the mountainous 160-kilometre stage six.

Bennett's hopes of dominating the general classification appear over as he dropped one place to 31st overall, nearly nine minutes behind pink jersey-wearer Valter Attila.

Bevin moved up three spots to 41st overall - the stage was won by Gino Mader .

Mader soloed to victory but admits to racing paranoid after getting hauled in at last month's Paris-Nice event.