Italian Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) won Friday’s third stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, a 213km leg between Marsciano and Macerata.

Russian Alexander Areekev (Acqua e Sapone), winner of stage 2, retains the overall lead.

Meanwhile, Italian Ivan Basso (Discovery Channel) crashed and injured his left wrist, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. He finished the stage, but subsequently was taken to hospital for X-rays. No fracture was found, according to press reports, but there was some question as to whether Basso would start Saturday's fourth stage.

World and Olympic champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step-Innergetic) also fell during the stage, injuring one hand.

Tirreno-Adriatico
Stage results
1. Riccardo Ricco (I) Saunier Duval, 213km in 5:41:22
2. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz), Astana, at 0:02
3. Andreas Klöden (G), Astana, same time
4. Stefano Garzelli (I), Acqua e Sapone, s.t.
5. Luca Mazzanti (I), Ceramica Panaria, s.t.
6. Andrea Moletta (I), Gerolsteiner, s.t.
7. Filippo Pozzato (I), Liquigas, s.t.
8. Thomas Dekker (Ned), Rabobank, s.t.
9. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, s.t.
10. Janez Brajkovic (Slo), Discovery Channel, s.t.

Overall
1. Alexander Areekev (Rus) Acqua e Sapone, 15:07:50
2. Riccardo Ricco (I), at 0:21
3. Oscar Freire (Sp), Rabobank, at 0:27
4. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) s.t.
5. Andreas Klöden (G), Astana, at 0:29
6. Filippo Pozzato (I), Liquigas, at 0:33
7. Andrea Moletta (I), Gerolsteiner, s.t.
8. Evgeni Petrov (Rus), Tinkoff Credit Systems, s.t.
9. Stefano Garzelli (I), Acqua e Sapone, s.t.
10. Stefan Schumacher (G), Gerolsteiner, s.t.