Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar has maintained his grip on the pink jersey after an eventful Stage 6 of the Giro d'Italia. The stage, which was likened to the famous Strade Bianche race, featured challenging gravel sectors that had many expecting Pogačar to launch an attack and extend his lead. However, the rider chose to stick with his UAE Team Emirates teammates instead.

The race saw plenty of action, with the winning break forming after nearly 100km of racing. Pogačar, known for his prowess on gravel roads, opted to conserve his energy by following his team through the challenging sectors instead of launching a solo attack like his memorable Strade Bianche victory.

Throughout the stage, the maglia rosa (pink jersey) even shifted to the shoulders of Luke Plapp of Jayco-AlUla, who was part of the winning break. However, Plapp's lead in the general classification (GC) fell as the race neared the finish line.

Pogačar expressed satisfaction with the breakaway staying away, stating, "For us, it was perfect if they stayed away. We were happy with that breakaway, even if Plapp took the pink jersey, it would be fine." He also acknowledged the strong efforts of Ineos Grenadiers on the gravel sections and climbs but seemed content with the stage's outcome and looked forward to the individual time trial on Stage 7.

Stage 7 will feature a 40.6km individual time trial from Foligno to Perugia, providing Pogačar with an opportunity to extend his lead on GC. The Slovenian rider expressed confidence in his form, remarking, "Tomorrow's a time trial, let's go for another good day. I had good legs today, so let's see what I can do tomorrow. It's an interesting parcours, let's hope for the best. I just want to feel good on the bike if I'm honest."

Tadej Pogačar, who wears the pink jersey after five stages, currently holds a 46-second lead over Geraint Thomas of Ineos Grenadiers, who remain strong contenders in the race. Thomas exhibited calm and collected riding despite a brief incident where he was forced to unclip from his pedals while Romain Bardet launched an attack.

As the Giro d'Italia continues, the focus remains on Pogačar's impressive performance and the battle for the coveted pink jersey. With the race entering the individual time trial stage, all eyes will be on Pogačar as he looks to further solidify his lead and test his rivals to their limits.

(Note: This article is generated based on the provided information and contains only the entities, numbers, and dates mentioned in the text.