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CATANZARO LUNGOMARE, Italy -- Mark Cavendish of England won the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia on Tuesday in a group sprint finish, and Franco Pellizotti of Italy retained the overall lead.
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Cavendish, who rides for High Road, finished in an unofficial time of 4 hours, 49 minutes, 9 seconds.
Robert Forster was second, followed by Monday's winner, Daniele Bennati.
It was Cavendish's sixth victory of the year and his first career win in a multi-day race. In the last 100 yards, Cavendish and Forster overtook Bennati, who had emerged from the group 100 yards earlier in his bid for back-to-back victories.
Rik Verbrugghe of Cofidis rode 102 miles in a solo breakaway to build a 10-minute lead before being caught by the group with 12 miles left.
"My team worked very hard today to make sure I could keep the jersey," said Pellizotti, who rides for Liquigas. "It will be difficult to keep it after tomorrow, but I will try. Tomorrow will be a test for everybody who wants to win this Giro d'Italia."
Pellizotti's time of 16 hours, 41 minutes, 26 seconds is one second ahead of Christian Vandevelde. Danilo Di Luca is seven seconds back in third place.
After a series of crashes Monday led to the withdrawal of several cyclists including Bradley McGee, there were no incidents Tuesday until the last straight away when about 10 riders went down.
The Giro continues Wednesday with a 126-mile leg from Belvedere Marittimo to Contursi Terme that includes a brief steep climb to the finish line.
