Goss takes crash marred stage 3 of Giro d'Italia

HORSENS, Denmark - Orica-Green Edge's Matt Goss took the third stage of the 2012 Giro d'Italia following a massive crash a couple of 100 metres from the line.

The crash, caused by Androni-Venezuela sprinter Roberto Ferrari took out stage favourite Mark Cavendish and pink jersey holder Taylor Phinney. Cavendish was left with severe cuts to his thigh and Phinney was taken to hospital with an ankle injury.

Saxo Bank's Juan José Haedo was second while Tyler Farrar bagged third place for Garmin-Barracuda. Goss has been hit by a bout of seconditis recently as he finished second in stage 2 and second on four stages in the Tour of Turkey.

Cavendish called for sanctions against Ferrari, tweeting: "Ouch! Crashing at 75kph isn't nice! Nor is seeing Roberto Ferrari's manoeuvre. Should be ashamed to take out Pink, Red & World Champ" and "Is the team of Roberto Ferrari or the UCI going to do the right thing? Other riders, including myself, have been sent home for much less."

Cavendish also tweeted that he was pleased that Goss had won the stage: "On a positive note, really pleased for @mattgoss1986. Congratulations dude. Proper decent bloke."

Richard Freeman, Team Sky Doctor, said at a press conference: "Mark’s had a bad crash and is very uncomfortable but we’re taking care of him. We’re travelling as a team to Verona."

Steven de Jongh, Team Sky Sports Director: "The team did another good job today. Flecha was really strong and helped control the breakaway just like Ian Stannard did yesterday.

"In the final the guys got separated a little bit but Cav was still well positioned to contest the sprint until Roberto Ferrari veered across and took away his front wheel in those last 100 metres. He lost a lot of skin but was able to pick himself up and complete the stage.

"The rest of the guys came through okay and hopefully we’ll have a hassle-free transfer to Verona now and be able to get some good work in tomorrow in preparation for Wednesday’s team time trial."

Stage 4 is a 32km team time trial in Verona on Tuesday; today is a rest day as the teams travel from Denmark to Italy.