Sky seeking ruling as Wiggins is caught in crash close to finish

Starting in second place, 17 seconds behind Italian Luca Paolini, Wiggins fell a further 17 seconds adrift of the leader in a stage won by another Italian, Enrico Battaglin.

Battaglin overhauled long-time stage leader Danilo Di Luca in a dramatic finish after Di Luca and Colombian Robinson Eduardo Chapalud Gomez had earlier burst clear in the hunt for victory.

Riders had to cope with driving rain and poor visibility for the majority of the tough 246km stage to Serra San Bruno.

Although Wiggins is now 34 seconds adrift of the pink jersey, he shares the same time with last year’s race winner, Canadian Ryder Hesjedal, who is in fifth place.

Wiggins’s Team Sky team-mate Rigoberto Uran moved up to second place overall after finishing 10th in yesterday’s stage.

Sports director Marcus Ljungvist said Team Sky were hopeful Wiggins could recoup his lost time after he was caught in a crash inside the final three kilometres of the stage.

“Brad was caught behind a crash. We are waiting from something from the race jury,” he told the Team Sky website. “The crash was inside three kilometres to go so hopefully they will recognise that.

“It’s one of those things that happens in bike racing. It’s certainly not the end of the world.

“On the last climb we wanted to stay out of trouble and hold position there.

“The team rode well there. Everything is good within the team. The guys are strong.”

Team Principal Sir Dave Brailsford was unconcerned at Wiggins’s lost time at this early stage of proceedings.

“It’s one of those races where you just have to pay attention all the time,” he said.

“You can gain hard-earned seconds here and there and then you can lose time very quickly.

“Bradley’s in great shape mentally and physically. Ultimately this first week is all about staying in contention and then this race will be won and lost in the time trials and the high mountains.”

Sheffield’s Adam Blythe, who was seventh on the opening stage in Naples on Saturday, came home in 163rd position yesterday, in the group 16 seconds behind Battaglin.

After dropping back over 17 minutes on Monday’s stage three, the 23-year-old is now 20 minutes down on general classification leader Luca Paolini.