Giro d'Italia: Michael Matthews wins amid crashes

Australian Michael Matthews extended his Giro d'Italia lead to 21 seconds as he avoided a late crash that scattered the field to win stage six.

Matthews, 23, was followed home in a small group by compatriot Cadel Evans, who is now his closest rival in the general classification.

Spain's Joaquim Rodriguez fell in the crash but finished the stage before quitting with broken ribs and thumb.

"It hurts to leave the Giro, but there is no other option," said Rodriguez.

The general classification contender added: "The crashes were bad for all of us. The road was very slippery and we were going 60kph. Just touching your brakes was enough to crash. But that is a risk we always take."

Fellow Katusha riders Giampaolo Caruso and Angel Vicioso were also forced to retire while Irish rider Nicolas Roche also suffered as he finished more than 15 minutes behind Evans to drop to 80th place in the General Classification.

Vicosio broke his right leg, while the 33-year-old Caruso was taken to hospital for X-rays, which revealed no fractures but severe cuts and bruises.

The crash came as the field picked up pace inside the final 10km before a host of riders went down attempting to negotiate a roundabout on wet roads.

American Tyler Farrar was one of those to make their way home in badly-torn race suits.

The stage-defining incident came with about 10km remaining of the 247km trip from Sassono to Montecassino.

Before that an early and stubborn four-man breakaway, consisting of unheralded Italians Andrea Fedi, Edoardo Zardini and Marco Bandiera and low-profile Colombian Rodolfo Torres, was the main source of interest.

After escaping in the 11th kilometre it was not until they were the same distance from the finish that the quartet were finally reeled in by the peloton.

Evans's BMC team had been massing at the front immediately before the crash and, as chaos descended behind them, they pushed on with leader Matthews for company.

Quintana's Movistar team lead the chase of the eight-strong leading pack, but with their numbers depleted could not return their team leader to the front.

Instead Matthews stalked Evans's back wheel before slipping by him in the final metres to claim his first individual stage win in the race.

Stage six:

1. Michael Matthews (Aus/Orica) 6:37:01"

2. Tim Wellens (Bel/Lotto) ST

3. Cadel Evans (Aus/BMC Racing)

4. Matteo Rabottini (Ita/Neri Sottoli)

5. Ivan Santaromita (Ita/Orica) +13"

6. Steve Morabito (Sui/BMC Racing) +23"

7. Wilco Kelderman (Ned/Belkin) +49"

8. Mauro Finetto (Ita/Neri Sottoli)

9. Diego Ulissi (Ita/Lampre)

10. Fabio Duarte (Col/Colombia)

Overall standings:

1. Michael Matthews (Aus/Orica) 24:18:14"

2. Cadel Evans (Aus/BMC Racing) +21"

3. Rigoberto Uran (Col/Omega Pharma - Quick-Step) +1:18"

4. Steve Morabito (Sui/ BMC Racing) +1:25"

5. Matteo Rabottini (Ita / Neri Sottoli)

6. Ivan Santaromita (Ita / Orica) +1:47"

7. Fabio Aru (Ita/ Astana) +1:51"

8. Tim Wellens (Bel/ Lotto) +1:52"

9. Ivan Basso (Ita/ Cannondale) +2:06"

10. Nairo Quintana (Col/ Movistar) +2:08"