MARK Cavendish took over as the points classification leader in the 2012 Giro d’Italia despite not winning the 11th stage on Wednesday afternoon.
The 255-kilometre trek from Assisi - Montecatini Terme was the longest stage of this year’s Giro and, despite two climbs towards the end, was expected to end in a sprint finish and give the Manx Missile the chance to claim his third win of this year’s event.
However, several tight bends in the final 400m fractured the peloton and, as one rider overshot one such corner and three others hit the deck, Cav was forced to slow right down which all but ended his hopes of the stage victory.
Despite a valiant effort where he made up plenty of ground, there was nothing the Manxman could do to prevent Roberto Ferrari – the Italian who caused Cav to crash heavily last week – from claiming the win.
Ferrari’s compatriot Francesco Chicchi came second ahead of Tomas Vaitkus while Cavendish was fourth, with his fellow Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas finishing 13th and Manxman Peter Kennaugh recording his best placing at a Grand Tour with 26th.
Cav went into the stage just three points behind red jersey holder and former HTC Highroad team-mate Matt Goss – now Orica GreenEDGE – and picked up a single point during one of the day’s intermediate sprints to move to within two. Cav’s fourth-place finish ensured that the Manxman reclaimed the points jersey ahead of today (Thursday’s) stage between Seravezza and Sestri Levante.