CYCLING: Up-and-coming Italian Andrea Guardini inflicted a surprise defeat on world champion Mark Cavendish in a bunch sprint at the end of stage 18 of the Giro d'Italia yesterday.

Spain’s Joaquim Rodriguez retained the overall lead with three days remaining. Cavendish hammered his handlebars in frustration after the 22-year-old Farnese Vini rider outpowered the Briton by more than a bike length on the flat stage from San Vito di Cadore to Vedelago. Italy’s Roberto Ferrari was third.

“I couldn’t be happier, it’s an amazing thing because I’ve beaten the world champion, at least today,” Guardini, in his second year as a professional, said.

“I accelerated away with 250 metres to go, I saw Cavendish was behind me and couldn’t beat me, it’s incredible. “

Overall, as the race tackles the first of two key mountain stages today, Rodriguez is 30 seconds ahead of Canada’s Ryder Hesjedal and has a one minute 22 second advantage over former double Giro winner Ivan Basso.

“Hesjedal is not wearing pink (leader’s jersey) but he’s the clear favourite,” Rodriguez said. “I have to try and drop him before Sundays time trial.”