MILAZZO, Italy (AFP) - Italian cyclist Daniele Bennati won the third stage of the Tour of Italy here on Monday to record his first ever success in the race.

His Liquigas team-mate Franco Pellizotti retained the overall leader's pink jersey.

Bennati - winner of two stages in the Tour de France and three in the Tour of Spain last year - edged out German veteran Erik Zabel in a sprint finish at the end of the 221 kilometres ride - Zabel's compatriot Danilo Hondo was third.

However, the stage saw the end of Australian rider Bradley McGee's challenge as the 32-year-old - who wore the pink jersey for two days in the 2004 Giro - took a crashing fall around 20 kilometres from the finish.

McGee looked to have injured his collarbone.

Another group crash involved Sunday's stage winner Riccardo Ricco, but the Italian was able to resume the race, though, he suffered a suspected fracture of the index finger of his left hand.

The Giro moves from Sicily to the Italian mainland on Tuesday with the fourth stage, a 183km ride from Pizzo Calabro to Catanzaro lungomare.