Intro:

Australia's Michael Matthews wins stage six of the Giro d'Italia in Montecassino on Thursday (15th May) to retain the leader's Maglia Rosa.

Script:

Stage six of the Giro d'Italia was extended to 257-kilometre between Sassano and Montecassino due to a landslide.

Unfortunately the conditions continued to wreak havoc on the peloton as a number of riders crashed during the final 30km.

Giampoalo Caruso appeared the most seriously injured.

Caruso had injured his hand during a crash in stage two.

The Katusha rider rode through the pain on that occasion, but Thursday's incident surely brings his Giro to an end.

The carnage left a fortunate group of four riders out in front, led by Cadel Evans.

Evans' compatriot Michael Matthews was also in the bunch and the man in the Maglia Rosa claimed his first individual victory of the race.

The Orica-GreenEDGE rider finished ahead of Tim Wellens of Lotto Berisol took second place.

BMC's Evans finished in third.

Matthews retained his leader's jersey as a result and now leads Evans by 21 seconds in the General Classification.