Alaphilippe realises 'dream' with Giro stage victory

Julian Alaphilippe produced a stunning ride to win stage 12 of the Giro d'Italia.

The two-time world champion and Soudal–Quick-Step rider broke away alongside Mirco Maestri with two thirds of the 193km stage still to go.

He dropped the Polti-Kometa rider in the latter stages and held out for a maiden stage victory.

"I didn’t plan it, I was expecting a big group to be in the breakaway," Alaphilippe told Eurosport.

"First I have to thank my team-mates who really controlled the first 60km. Afterwards I was really focused to be in the front.

"Until the last kilometre I had to keep pushing. It was my dream to win a stage in the Giro and I did it. I’m really happy."

Jhonatan Narvaez (Ineos-Grenadiers) finished second with Quinten Hermans (Alpecin Deceuninck) grabbing third, while an exhausted Maestri finished ninth.

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) held on to his lead in the general classification standings after coming in with the rest of the chasing pack, with Britain’s Geraint Thomas still sitting third overall.