Cadel Evans was the big winner in today's sixth stage of the Giro d'Italia as the 2012 Tour winner gained 49 seconds on most of his rivals. Having faced some criticism for not waiting in the crash-marred finale, the Australian defended himself, saying that it was just his job to get to the finish as fast as possible.

BMC Racing Team's Cadel Evans moved into second overall Thursday at the Giro d'Italia after a crash in the rain split the peloton in the final 12 kilometers of the race's longest stage. The crash occurred near the entry to a roundabout moments after a four-man breakaway was caught.

More than a dozen riders went down, but Evans and teammates Steve Morabito and Daniel Oss avoided the pile-up and were part of an eight-rider group that included race leader Michael Matthews (ORICA-GreenEDGE).

"It was big stress for the riders because we knew today was really, really dangerous," BMC Racing Team Sport Director Fabio Baldato said. "What happened in the final, I am really sorry for everybody because the race was full gas and that roundabout was important.

"It was 70 kph and the tailwind made the speed crazy and it was just 1.5 km before the climb. Everybody was fighting to be in good position. We were there to keep Cadel safe at the bottom of the climb. I'm really sorry for everybody who was in the crash."

Evans said he heard the noise of a crash but did not look back in order to stay upright himself.

"It was only when I saw our group was so small and the types of riders that were there that I knew that it wasn't because of the normal racing conditions that we had a selection like that unfortunately."

Matthews won the stage ahead of Tim Wellens (Lotto Belisol), with Evans in third. With time bonuses awarded for the top three places, Matthews leads the 2011 Tour de France champion by 21 seconds, with Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) in third, 1:18 back, after the peloton conceded 49 seconds on the uphill finish.

"The communication in the final isn't clear and to make rational decisions for such an unexpected situation isn't easy," Evans said. "Our job is to race and to race to the finish. That's the first thing on our mind. What happened behind, I really have no idea. I haven't seen it. Unfortunately, it has been a very bad day for some of the riders."

Baldato said Ben Hermans, Samuel Sánchez and Danilo Wyss were all involved in the crash but not seriously injured.

"It is never nice when you see so many riders on the ground," Baldato said. "It was a nervous stage and we knew the roads were difficult, which, in rain, can be very slippery. We did the race like usual, always in the front."

Morabito, who finished sixth to move into fourth overall, 1:25 back, said he knew the rain would make for a treacherous run-in to the finishing climb.

"For that reason, we were in front leading the group," he said. "We have prepared for this Giro at the best and we are really focused on that."