Kaden Groves of Australia won a chaotic raid-soaked stage five of the Giro d’Italia that saw multiple crashes, including one caused by a dog.

Following a collision metres from the finish, Britain’s Mark Cavendish finished fourth after slipping crossed the line on his backside.

Remco Evenepoel, the world champion, crashed twice, the first time after a dog walked onto the road in front of him.

Andreas Leknessund was hampered by an accident, but he was able to maintain his overall lead.

Heavy rain made conditions hazardous, necessitating a steady pace for much of the 171km ride from Atripalda to Salerno, though this did not prevent a number of pile-ups.

The first crash came after 19 kilometers, when a dog ran across Davide Ballerini’s path, knocking him and Soudal-Quick Step teammate Evenepoel off their bikes.

Evenepoel, who had led the race until the fourth stage to Lago Laceno on Tuesday, was attended to by the race doctor before being assisted back onto his bike and gave a thumbs up to the television cameras as he and Ballerini started riding.

Three crashes occurred in the final 10 kilometers as the riders prepared for the mass sprint finish, with eventual winner Groves among those who fell on the final curve with 7 kilometers to go.

The incident also slowed race leader Leknessund of Norway and Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic.

Belgian Evenepoel then crashed for the second time with 2km remaining, looking visibly irritated as he climbed back onto his bike and angrily gesticulated to the driver of his team car, implying that a rider had crossed across his path.

Then, as the cyclists rushed towards the finish line, Cavendish collided with Italian Andrea Vendrame, who smashed into the advertising hoardings while Cavendish collapsed and skidded over them.