A big crash in the closing stages of stage two of the Tirreno-Adriatico cost Mark Cavendish the chance to contest the sprint finish.
The Manx Missile sat up when Team Sky rider Elia Viviani and several others crashed heavily close to the him.
Cav had looked to be in a good poisition to challenge for victory despite still recovering from a stomach virus picked up days before the race.
The stage was won by Jens Debusschere of the Lotto Soudal team.