Cycling: Andrea Vendrame ensured the next breakaway victory and the next home win at the Giro d'Italia. The Italian was part of a large leading group and finally prevailed against Chris Hamilton in the two-man sprint. There were no changes in the top 10 of the overall classification.
Bouchard extends the lead in the mountains classification
As expected, the 212-kilometer twelfth stage of the Giro d'Italia from Siena to Bagno di Romagna was again a matter for the escapees. After around 60 kilometers, a breakaway group of 16 men was able to pull away, which even the onset of rain didn't stop them from building up a large lead. The peloton, controlled by Ineos Grenadiers, made no attempt to make life difficult for the fugitives. There shouldn't be any shifts in the overall standings today anyway. Only Vincenzo Nibali (Trek – Segafredo) tried a charge but it only earned him a few seconds. And also for outliers Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R – Citroen) it should be a relatively easy day without much resistance. The man in the blue jersey won the first three climbs and was able to extend his lead.
Vendrame takes the stage win
Real action came into the race only when the fight for the day's victory broke out on the final climb - the Passo del Camaio. George Bennett (Jumbo – Visma), Gianluca Brambilla (Trek - Segafredo), Andrea Vendrame (AG2R – Citroën) and Chris Hamilton (DSM) were able to break away from their companions. Despite multiple attacks, none of these drivers managed to break away as a soloist. So the quartet rode the last kilometers together. Hamilton and Vendrame only managed to advance in the last 3.000 meters. While Bennett and Brambilla were still stalking each other, they fought for the day's victory in a two-man sprint. Andrea Vendrame was finally able to secure this, which means that he can celebrate the greatest success of his career so far.
Falls: Mäder, Soler & De Marchi give up
Unfortunately, there were a few falls today as well. As a result, the Swiss had to start early in the race Gino Mader (Bahrain – Victorious), the Italian Alessandro De Marchi (Israel Start-Up Nation) and the Spaniard Marc Soler (Movistar) left the Giro. The Briton Alex Dowsett (Israel Start-Up Nation) was also unable to finish the stage due to stomach pain. And also the Italian Fausto Masnada (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) and the Belgian Kobe Goossens (Lotto - Soudal) are no longer there - reasons unknown. This means that a maximum of 164 of the originally 184 registered professionals will start tomorrow.
🏅Andrea Vendrame (@AG2RCITROENTEAM) see the Victoria at Stage 12 of the Giro de Italia 2021 🇮🇹 #Turn #twist2021 #twist104 #Noticiclismo #ciclismo pic.twitter.com/jWgLdUMYQD
- NotiCiclismo (@ Noticiclismo1) May 20, 2021