A huge pile-up in the final straight marred the second stage of the Tour of Poland as Sacha Modolo and Australia's Caleb Ewan sparked a crash that affected the majority of the peloton.
As the riders jostled for position in the final metres of the 146-kilometre stage from Czestochowa to Dabrowa Gornicza, Modolo (Lampre-Merida) made contact with Ewan (Orica-GreenEdge) as his front wheel went under him.
The pair fell to the ground and caused a domino effect within the peloton, with only nine riders able to escape before the road became blocked with bikes and riders.
IAM Cycling's Matteo Pelucchi was one of those nine and he held off the challenge of Marcel Kittel (Giant-Alpecin) to take the stage win, while bonus seconds allowed Kittel to extend his overall lead to 12 seconds.
"The contact with Ewan was accidental, Sacha did not commit any impropriety," said Lampre sporting director Simone Pedrazzini. "He simply followed the wheel of [Niccolo] Bonifazio who, at that time, led the group."
Orica boss Matt Wilson rued a frustrating end to what had been a solid stage for the team, and hopes Ewan will be fit to make stage three despite his fall.
"It's really disappointing after that team performance but we are very lucky that he [Ewan] is alright after coming down so hard and fast," he said.
"We don't know how he is going to feel tomorrow, but he will definitely be there on the start line."