(Rivoli) Nico Denz won the 12e stage of the Tour of Italy, his first victory in the Grand Tours, while Geraint Thomas retained the pink leader’s jersey, as the peloton prepares to face the mountains.
Denz (Bora-Hansgrohe) was ahead of Toms Skujins and Sebastian Berwick after the 185 km linking Bra to Rivoli, in Piedmont. This first stage victory for the German was underlined by a cry of joy when he crossed the finish line, before his eyes filled with tears.
The three cyclists were part of a breakaway that fought to break away from the start of the day. The trio ended up breaking away from this leading group, even widening the gap to eight minutes with it before the most difficult portion of the stage, a category 2 pass 30 km from the finish.
The rest of the leading group crossed the wire 2:20 behind, some six minutes ahead of the overall contenders.
Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) maintained a two-second lead ahead of Primoz Roglic and 22 seconds ahead of Joao Almeida.
The peloton held a minute of silence before the start, to honor the people affected by the floods in Emilia-Romagna.
The 13e Friday’s stage will feature three category 3 climbs on the 199 km route between Borgofranco d’Ivrea and Crans-Montana.
The Giro will end in 10 days, in Rome.