Colombian rider Fernando Gaviria sprinted to his fourth stage victory at the Giro d'Italia in his Grand Tour debut, while Australia's Caleb Ewan finished the stage in eighth and fifth in the points classification.
Gaviria came from the back and around the right side of the sprinters to edge Sam Bennett and win the 13th stage. Jasper Stuyven was third at the end of the completely flat 167-kilometre route from Reggio Emilia to Tortona.
Tom Dumoulin retained the pink jersey. The Dutch rider's lead remained 2 minutes, 23 seconds ahead of 2014 winner Nairo Quintana and 2:38 ahead of Bauke Mollema.
Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas abandoned the race before the stage. The Welshman, who spent the last year preparing for the Giro, was still suffering from the effects of a crash in the ninth stage and had lost time in the last two days.
Friday's stage was the last one for the sprinters. Many of them are expected to leave the race, although Gaviria has said he will continue for as long as possible.
Saturday's 14th stage is a 131-kilometre route from Castellania and is mainly flat until the final steep climb up to Oropa.
The 100th Giro ends in Milan on May 28.
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