Australian cyclist Kaden Groves has narrowly missed out on a stage win at the Giro d'Italia, falling just short in the sprint to the finish line behind winner Jonathan Milan. 

Milan took the fourth stage of this year's tour after finishing second the previous day, while Tadej Pogačar maintained the overall lead.

Lidl-Trek rider Milan went to the front close to the line and despite the best efforts of Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck), the Italian held on for victory.

Like Milan, stage four was a second bunch sprint finish in as many days for Groves, who was 12th across the line the day before.

"A really hectic sprint there today — just such a high pace," Groves told Eurosport after the stage.

"We're getting there. The team is riding really well for me and we keep committing, we keep trying and we see how we going in the coming days."

Race favourite Pogačar remained 46 seconds ahead of Geraint Thomas of Ineos Grenadiers, with Colombia's Daniel Martinez (BORA-Hansgrohe) a further second back in third.

Three riders, Lilian Calmejane (Intermarché-Wanty), Stefan de Bod (EF Education-EasyPost) and Francisco Munoz (Polti-Kometa) broke away early and the gap opened to over five minutes.

They had a four-minute lead at the top of the only climb of the day, but still had 100km left to ride, and on the descent, Calmejane was dropped.