Slippery roads and a fast pace on the approach to the final climb caused a huge crash which decimated the peloton just nine kilometres from the stage finish.
The crash took the biggest toll on Team Katusha, with the Russian squad losing three riders: Giampaolo Caruso, Angel Vicioso and team leader Rodriguez.
Rodriguez broke two ribs and fractured his thumb, Vicioso fractured his femur in three places and Caruso suffered a contusion to his left hip and leg in addition to a broken wrist he sustained in Belfast.
Race leader Michael Matthews will be without Orica-GreenEDGE team-mate Brett Lancaster who broke his hand, going down in the crash with Canadian Svein Tuft. Tuft suffered significant abrasions and with his health under assessment.
The Australian team may yet take another blow with uncertainty surrounding Cameron Meyer continuing the Giro d'Italia because of illness.
Astana's Jani Brajkovic and Cannondale's Davide Villella are also out of the race, with many other riders nursing injuries.
SBS will broadcast every stage of the 2014 Giro d'Italia LIVE! There will be nightly highlights at 5:30pm on SBS ONE, and each stage will also be streamed live here at Cycling Central.
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