Nico Denz claims glory on Giro d’Italia stage 12 as Geraint Thomas keeps lead

During a Giro d’Italia marred by crashes, bad weather, sickness and abandonments, stage 12 from Bra to Rivoli offered the peloton some much-needed respite before the serious business begins again.

The 185km (115 miles) route, featuring two climbs, offered the perfect day for the GC contenders to stay safe and allow riders in the breakaways to have their day. And so they did, with the stage coming down to a three-way sprint taken comfortably by Nico Denz (Bora-Hansgrohe) – his first Grand Tour stage win. Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) was second with Sebastian Berwick (Israel-Premier Tech) finishing third.

The overall race leader, Geraint Thomas, finished several minutes back in the peloton along with the remaining GC contenders. The fight for the maglia rosa will resume in earnest on Friday as the race hits the Alps for the first time, crossing the Swiss border for a summit finish at the ski resort of Crans Montana.

Denz had formed part of a five-rider attack from the front of a large breakaway group with just over 90km remaining. Alessandro Tonelli was dropped near the top of the Colle Braida climb, leaving Denz, Skujins and Berwick to contest victory.

On the flat finish in Rivoli, Denz hit the front and Skujins could make no impression before the German roared in celebration as he crossed the line.

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“On the last climb, I was on my very limit. I barely made it over the top,” said Denz, who grimaced his way up the slopes. “Once I achieved thateverything came back together. I also have quite a fast finish and that saved me in the end.”