Nikolas Maes was in good position in the final 150 meters, but a crash involving Pippo Pozzato (Farnese-Vini) and Matthew Goss (Orica-GreenEDGE) in front of him could not be avoided on Monday, at the 171km Stage 9 of the Giro d'Italia.
Francisco Ventoso (Movistar) took the sprint victory over Fabio Felline (Androni Giocattoli) and Giacomo Nizzolo (Radioshack-Nissan), while other top sprinters including world champion Mark Cavendish (Sky Procycling) were either taken down in the crash or caught behind it.
Martijn Keizer (Vacansoleil-DCM), Brian Bulgac (Lotto-Belisol) and Pierre Cazaux (Euskaltel-Euskadi) made an initial attack 19.5km into the race, and eventually that three rider break was reduced to only Keizer. Keizer was caught less than 17km to go. Teams were working to set up their leadout trains — particularly Garmin-Barracuda and Sky Procycling.
However, Omega Pharma - Quick-Step was still in good position to go for the sprint, as the peloton was strung out reeling in every attack in the final kilometers. Bad luck, unfortunately, ruined the chances of Maes to go for a coveted top finish in the Giro.
