Petacchi takes first blood

The veteran Italian appeared to veer across Cavendish's line twice in the frantic closing moments of the 244-kilometre stage from Alba to Parma.

Despite the confusion, the Manxman almost managed to catch Petacchi but crossed the line a tyre's width behind his rival.

As the home favourite raised his hands aloft in celebration, a clearly angered Cavendish gesticulated widely in annoyance.

But after a short deliberation race organisers confirmed Petacchi's victory - his 22nd career Giro scalp to date.

The pair were well ahead of third-place Italian Manuel Belletti (Colnago) while American Tyler Farrar - whose Garmin-Cervelo team had done much of the work in the lead up to the bunch sprint - finished a disappointing seventh.

Cavendish will be consoled with the overall leader's maglia rosa, which he takes from the shoulders of HTC team-mate Marco Pinotti by virtue of picking up bonus seconds at the finish.

Petacchi will wear the red jersey as leading points rider while Germany's Sebastian Lang secured the green jersey of best climber after the Omega Pharma-Lotto man crossed the first summit of this year's Giro in pole position.

Lang had gone on the offensive as early as the third kilometre of the longest stage in the 94th edition of the race. At one point, the 31-year-old held a lead just shy of 20 minutes before being swept up with 26 kilometres left to race.

Eight riders went on an ambitious counter attack as soon as Lang was reeled in, but disciplined work on the front of the peloton by the teams of the big sprinters ensured that the gap never peaked over 28 seconds.

The leading group were swept up by the bunch with 11km remaining, moments after Russian Eduard Vorganov (Katusha) hit the deck at top speed.

Entering the university town of Parma it was Farrar's Garmin-Cervelo outfit who put in the biggest shift on the front of the peloton.

But Farrar made a rather ham-fisted attempt at closing the stage, allowing Petacchi to take the initiative.

With his controversial victory, Petacchi becomes the second-oldest winner of a Giro stage in history.

The 37-year-old also ties compatriot Fausto Coppi and Belgian Roger De Vlaeminck's record of 22 career wins in the Giro.

Monday's 173km stage from Reggio Emilia to Rapallo features the first significant climb of the race - the third category Passo del Bocco - but the finish could suit the sprinters once again, provided they stay in touch over a late climb 8km from the line.