Cavendish squeezed out

Mark Cavendish was denied a fourth stage win in this year's Giro d'Italia as he was edged out on stage 18 by Andrea Guardini.

The Manxman was the pre-race favourite coming into the mainly flat and descending 149-kilometre route from San Vito di Cadore to Vedelago.

But Italian Guardini led the bunch sprint at the close to hold off the challenges of the British world champion and Roberto Ferrari to cross the line in a time of three hours, 52 seconds for his maiden stage win.

Team Sky man Cavendish retains the points classification red jersey, ahead of overall race leader Joaquin Rodriguez, heading into the 198km stage 19 from Treviso to Alpe di Pampeago.

Team Katusha rider Rodriguez maintained his 30-second lead over Garmin-Barracuda's Ryder Hesjedal in the general classification.