Italy's Alessandro Bertolini of the Diquigiovanni team won the 11th stage of the Giro d'Italia.

The 36-year-old was part of the breakaway that characterised the hilly 199-km stage from Urbania to Cesena and stayed clear of the main peloton.

When compatriot Fortunato Baliani crashed 750 metres from the finish, Bertolini sprinted away to win alone.

Spain's Pablo Lastras was delayed by the crash and finished five seconds behind Bertolini. Baliani got up to finish third.

Italy's Giovanni Visconti of the Quick Step team was one of many riders who crashed in the rain but he finished in the main peloton, three minutes and 53 seconds behind Bertolini, and retained the overall race lead.

It was Bertolini's first win at the Giro d'Italia in his 16th season as a professional.

"I've finally realised my dream of winning a stage at the Giro. I was second on a stage in 2004 and now I've managed to win one," he said.

"I have to thank my team because they gave me the freedom to ride for myself during the stage. I got in the early move and was ready in case team leader Gilberto Simoni came across. But when it was clear we'd stay away, I was given the green light to try and win.

"I know I won because of the late crash. I was lucky but that's life and that's cycling. I crashed during the stage too and I've hurt my elbow, but I carried on and so deserved to win."

Dozens of riders crashed during the stage as rain made the twisting descent particularly dangerous.

Race leader Visconti crashed with overall contenders

Leonardo Piepoli of Italy and Levi Leipheimer of the U.S. Piepoli has a cut above his right eye but both he and Leipheimer got back up and finished in the main peloton.

Thursday's 172-km 12th stage from Forli to Carpi is totally flat and is expected to end in a sprint.

Eurosport