Giro d'Italia 2012, stage three photo gallery by Graham Watson>>
Matt Goss won today's third stage of the 2012 Giro d'Italia as a mass pile-up caused by Roberto Ferrari took out world champion Mark Cavendish and race leader Taylor Phinney in the final metres.
Cavendish was, somehow, able to pick himself up, shoulder his bike and walk across the line. Phinney was not so lucky, the young American left the race in an ambulance. It looked like his race was over, but he was however given a finish time and allowed to stay in the race. He later hobbled up on to the podium to receive his pink jersey.
It was a horrific crash, brought about by Androni Giocattoli rider Roberto Ferrari. The Italian was in fourth place with 150 metres to go as Goss lead the sprint, in full flight, up the centre of the road.
But with clear road to his left, Ferrari made a terrible decision and switched violently to his right. As he did so Cavendish was coming up on the same side, and although the world champ desperately tried to avoid Ferrari's rear wheel, he had no chance.
He hit the deck hard on his left and before you could blink he was sprawling in the middle of the road with the bunch heading straight for him. Although one Farnese Vini rider miraculously bunny hopped over Cavendish there was no chance everyone could avoid him.
The resulting melee brought down Phinney, among others, and at first it appeared he may have broken his ankle. Luckily for him the injury turned out not to be as severe as first thought.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Ferrari was relegated to last place by the race commissaires.
Goss at last
It was the first sprint win for Goss this year as the Australian has struggled to repeat his 2011 form in his new Orica-GreenEdge colours. After being comfortably beaten by Cavendish yesterday, Goss got his timing spot on today.
No one team controlled the sprint after three laps of a 14.5km circuit around Horsens in Denmark, meaning each of the sprinters was left to do his own thing in the final. Goss was the one who positioned himself best coming in to the long, wide final straight.
The crash behind stopped others coming up from the rear, but even before it happened he looked like he had it in the bag. Cavendish had gone in to today as favourite after his dominant performance yesterday, but he lost the wheel of Geraint Thomas with around 2.5km to go. From there he jumped from wheel to wheel, but had to start his sprint from far back.
The riders will fly back to Italy tonight, although those affected by the crash may have to pay a visit to the hospital first. The rest day tomorrow will give those affected the chance to recover before Wednesday's team time trial.
The race had started with a minute's silence to remember Wouter Weylandt who tragically died on stage three of last year's Giro. His RadioShack Nissan Trek (formerly Leopard Trek) team mates and friend Tyler Farrar stood at the front of the peloton, leading the remembrance.
Weylandt's number from last years race, 108, has been rested from the race for this year and for ever more. "It means he's always in the race with his number," race director Michele Acquarone said.
RESULT
Giro d'italia 2012 stage three: Horsens to Horsens, 190km
1. Matt Goss (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge in 4-20-53
2. Juan Jose Haedo (Arg) Saxo Bank
3. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Barracuda
4. Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ
5. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Rabobank
6. Thor Hushovd (Nor) BMC Racing
7. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha
8. Romain Feillu (Fra) Vacansoleil-DCM
9. Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn) Orica-GreenEdge
10. Andrea Guardini (Ita) Farnese Vini all same time
Overall classification
1. Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing 9-24-31hrs
2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky at 9 secs
3. Alex Rasmussen (Den) Garmin-Barracuda at 13 secs
4. Manuele Boaro (Ita) Saxo Bank at 15 secs
5. Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin-Barracuda at 18 secs
6. Gustav Larsson (Swe) Vacansoleil-DCM at 22 secs
7. Brett Lancaster (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge at 23 secs
8. Matt Goss (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge at 23 secs
9. Marco Pinotti (Ita) BMC Racing at 24 secs
10. Jesse Sergent (NZl) RadioShack-Nissan at 26 secs
Taylor Phinney
Crash near the finish line
Matt Goss wins the third stage of the 2012 Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia 2012: Latest news
Cavendish and Thomas a winning combo, says Brailsford
Geraint Thomas narrowly misses out on Giro lead
Phinney realises Giro dream
Thomas and Phinney talk Giro d'Italia time trial
Kennaugh enters Giro with least amount of racing miles
Cavendish faces first Grand Tour as World Champ and father
Frank Schleck's last minute Giro adventure
Swift out of Giro after training crash
Giro d'Italia 2012: Who will win?
Sky to battle for Giro's team time trial
Hesjedal aims for Giro win
Giro d'Italia 2012: Start list
Cavendish, Thomas, Kennaugh, Swift and Stannard for Giro
Giro d'Italia 2012: Jerseys unveiled
Giro d'Italia organiser announces wildcard teams for 2012
Giro d'Italia 2012 route revealed
Giro d'Italia 2012: Live coverage
Giro d'Italia 2012 live text coverage schedule
Giro d'Italia 2012: Stage reports
Stage three: Goss wins in Horsens as Cavendish and Phinney crash
Stage two: Cavendish wins in Herning
Stage one: Phinney wins time trial
Giro d'Italia 2012: Photo galleries
Stage three photo gallery
Stage two photo gallery
Stage one photo gallery
Giro d'Italia 2012: Teams and riders
Giro d'Italia 2012 start list
Giro d'Italia 2012: TV guide
Giro d'Italia 2012: British Eurosport TV schedule
Related links
Giro d'Italia 2012: The Big Preview
Cycling Weekly's Giro d'Italia section
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
Freezing, wet and freezing, and non-existent: when cycling's weather gods don't play ball
Are pockets on the Specialized Men's Prime SWAT Bib Shorts worth parting with extra cash? Perhaps
