CONTURSI TERME, Italy (Reuters) - Russia's Pavel Brutt of the Tinkoff Credit Systems team won the fifth stage of the Giro d'Italia on Wednesday with a lone attack in the final kilometre of the 203km trek.

The 26-year-old from St Petersburg was part of a five-rider attack that went clear after just 19 kilometres.

Germany's Johannes Frohlinger finished four seconds behind and Colombia's Luis Felipe Laverde was third at 10 seconds.

Britain's David Millar was part of the five-rider attack but snapped his chain when he tried to chase Brutt.

Millar angrily threw his bike over the roadside barriers as Brutt went clear to win the biggest race of his eight-year career.

"The wife our of sponsor said she'd give me a kiss on both cheeks if I went on the attack. After winning the stage I made sure I got my kisses,' Brutt said.

"I attack a lot in races but I haven't won a lot and this is only my 12th professional win.

"To be honest I didn't think I'd have much chance but things went my way. We managed to stay clear of the main field and then I got away near the finish."

"I heard a noise and knew that something had happened when Millar snapped his chain. I didn't look round and just went as hard as I could. I struggled a bit because it was a uphill finish but it was great to make it to the line and win."

Italy's Franco Pellizotti of the Liquigas finished in the main peloton, 31 seconds behind Brutt but retained the overall race lead.

The USA's Christian Vande Velde is still one second behind, with 2007 Giro winner Danilo Di Luca of Italy third at seven seconds.

Pellizotti will wear the leader's pink jersey during Thursday's sixth stage from Potenza to Peschici.

Race organisers announced on Wednesday that the stage has been shortened from 265km to 231.6km after several long transfers before and after the early stages of the Giro d'Italia angered the riders.

The stage will still end in Peschici but a 33.4km loop around the Gargano head land has been cancelled.

(Editing by Miles Evans)