If the peloton thought it had left the rain behind when it left Ireland for Italy, it was very much mistaken.

Wet conditions in Bari, coupled with a tricky, technical circuit meant senior riders in the peloton took it upon themselves to perform a go-slow for much of the fourth stage in the Giro d’Italia.

And it turns out they were quite justified, too, with three crashes occurring on the one lap which was raced hard – the final one.

But a day which may best be remembered for its weather also marked the first Grand Tour stage win for rising sprinter Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ.fr).

And Stefano Sirotti was on hand to capture the action. Relive the stage in the photo gallery below.