Australian GreenEdge rider Matt Goss has been involved in a crash with British world champion Mark Cavendish on the ninth stage of the Giro d'Italia.
Australian Matt Goss and British world champion Mark Cavendish has crashed out on the last bend of the ninth stage of the Giro d'Italia, won by Spain's Francisco Ventoso.
Ventoso claimed victory in a sprint finish, with Canada's Ryder Hesjedal holding onto the leader's pink jersey.
However, the stage was marred by drama.
With 400 metres remaining, Italy's Filippo Pozzato collided with GreenEdge ace Goss, bringing both men down and forcing Cavendish to take evasive action which meant he was unable to take part in the sprint, but which didn't appear to cause him injury.
Pozzato, the leader of the Farnese Vini team, apologised for causing the crash.
"It was my fault," Pozzato told Italian television channel RAI on Monday.
"I was scared when Goss turned into the last bend and I touched the brakes. I apologise for causing the crash.
"I hope that Goss, who's a friend, and the other riders have no serious injuries.
"I hurt my side and I can't move one of my wrists, but I don't intend to withdraw."
Ventoso pipped Italians Fabio Felline and Giacomo Nizzolo on the line at the end of a flat 166km stage punctuated by occasional rain showers.
Ventoso, 30, was celebrating his second career stage win in the Giro, having won a stage in last year's renewal in the same region of Italy.
"In the early sprints I found it tough to stay up at the front, because the peloton is very compact and the risks are greater," he said.
"However, after a week, when the first one has been so tough as it has been in this Giro, things change.
"Realising this, I decided to save my energy for the second week.
"In the final sprint I wasn't in a very good position but when the crash occurred I saw that I could benefit from it and I launched my effort."
Earlier in the stage a three-man breakaway of Pierre Cazaux, Martin Keizer and Brian Bulgac made a bid to pull away shortly after the departure from Giorgio del Sannio, but the Sky-led peloton managed to keep their advantage below five minutes.
Dutchman Keizer pulled away from his companions with 30km remaining but he was reeled in 17km from the finish.
In the final stages, Spain's Joaquim Rodriguez - 8sec behind Hesjedal in second place in the overall standings - tried to steal a march on his rivals, but with no success.
Ventoso, 30, claimed his second Giro success after a previous stage win in nearby Fiuggi last year.
Tuesday's 10th stage is a 186km ride from Civitavecchia to Assisi, which finishes with two short climbs in the closing 3500 metres.
