Australian rider Michael Matthews (centre) celebrates after winning the sixth stage, 257 km from Atena Lucana to Montecassino, of the 97th Giro d’Italia cycling race, in Montecassino, Italy, yesterday.

Agencies/Rome

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.

Colombian contenders Nairo Quintana and Rigoberto Uran lost time, with Spain’s Joaquim Rodriguez well down.

Katusha’s Giampaolo Caruso was taken to hospital following a heavy fall.

The Italian 33-year-old stayed conscious but motionless on the road before an ambulance arrived.

He was the worse affected as the field picked up pace inside the final 10km but came unstuck 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 a 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.

Overall classification 

Giro d’Italia classification after stage 6

1.  Michael Matthews (Australia / Orica) 24:18:14” 

2.  Cadel Evans (Australia / BMC Racing)  +21”

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

4.  Steve Morabito (Switzerland / BMC Racing)  +1:25”

5.  Matteo Rabottini (Italy / Neri Sottoli)

6.  Ivan Santaromita (Italy / Orica) +1:47”

7.  Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana)  +1:51”

8.  Tim Wellens (Belgium / Lotto)  +1:52”

9.  Ivan Basso (Italy / Cannondale) +2:06”

10. Nairo Quintana (Colombia / Movistar) +2:08”