Orica Green Edge's Mark Goss won the second stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico in Tuscany this afternoon.
The longest stage of the race was a 232km stage from Indicatore to Narni Scalo.
Kevin Hulsmans (Vini Fantini) was the first man to attack and he got away after 29 kilometres before being joined by Cesare Benedetti (NetApp-Endura), and Garikoitz Bravo (Euskaltel-Eusakdi).
With 100kms gone and the rain continuing, they were 8.30 ahead of the peloton which had race leader Mark Cavendish safely in the fold.
At the first climb, it was Bravo ahead of Benedetti and Hulsmans and the second climb saw Benedetti ahead of Bravo and Hulsmans.
With 30.7kms to go, their day at the front was over and although Sep Vanmarcke had a brief time on his own, it was all gruppo compacto going into the final fifteen kilometres.
The stage appeared set for Cavendish, in the blue leaders jersey, who had been picking up bonus points at the intermediate sprints.
The rain was pouring down for the final twelve kilometre lap around Narni Scalo and it was announced that General Classification times were to be taken at the 3km to go point for safety reasons.
Cavendish was down the field as Peter Sagan attacked down the left but it was Matt Goss won the stage in a time of 5.48.41 ahead of Ciolek and Ferrari
Cavendish was fifth and keeps his leader's jersey with a two second lead.