MONTECASSINO, Italy: Race leader Michael Matthews of Australia won the gruelling sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday as compatriot Cadel Evans lurked on a day’s racing marred by a nasty crash.

Matthews, 23, surged home in a sprint finish to the 257km stage from Sassano to Montecassino, the longest on the Tour, ahead of Belgian Tim Wellens and Evans.

The leading peloton had a 49sec advantage over the main chasing pack that included a host of rivals to Evans, the big beneficiary of the day’s racing.

Heavy rain made for a slick surface and there were two falls in the final 12km, 8.7km of which was a steep climb.

Evan’s BMC teammate, Switzerland’s Steve Morabito, accelerated away to build up a lead that the fallen riders were unable to reel in.

In the general classication, Matthews has a 21sec lead over Evans, with Colombian Rigoberto Uran at 1min 18sec.

Friday’s seventh stage is a 231km ride from Frosinone to Foligno.

Routley triumphs

Will Routley claimed stage four of the Tour of California Wednesday but the Canadian rider couldn’t catch former Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, who comfortably held onto the yellow jersey.

Routley (Optum) outsprinted five breakaway challengers to complete the 116-kilometer stage in three hours, 48 minutes and 37 seconds. Gregory Daniel was second and Kevin De Mesmaeker finished third.

“You know you can win but you can make a mistake so easily,” said Routley, of the Canadian resort town of Whistler, British Columbia. “These are all veteran bike racers. These guys know what they are doing.” With four days of racing remaining, British rider Wiggins (Team Sky) maintained his overall lead over Aussie Rohan Dennis, who is 28 seconds back.

Wednesday’s stage, down the scenic California coast, included one sprint and three climbs.

Former Canadian road champion Routley rode a clever race as he saved enough energy for the sprint at the finish.

Jonathan Clark jumped out first in the sprint, prompting De Mesmaeker (Novo) to take the inside line. Routley then roared down the right side and held off the pack for the victory.

“I came here with a goal to win a stage,” Routley said. “That’s what I’ve wanted to do every time I’ve come to the Tour of California.

“This time I felt like I was prepared and ready.” Portugal’s Tiago Machado is third in the overall, 69 seconds behind Wiggins. American Lawson Craddock is fourth, while British rider Adam Yates rounds out the top five.

The riders had to battle hot temperatures but they didn’t have to deal with the steep climbs that were a big part of third stage.