Segaert’s Attack Secures Giro Stage 12 Win; Eulálio Extends Lead

Alec Segaert launched a decisive late attack to win stage 12 of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday, while his Bahrain Victorious teammate Afonso Eulálio collected bonus seconds in the intermediate sprint to increase his overall lead.

The 175-kilometer ride from Imperia to Novi Ligure appeared destined for a sprint finish until the Belgian rider made his move 3 kilometers from the line and held off the chasing pack to claim victory on his Giro debut.

Fellow Belgian Toon Aerts of Lotto-Intermarche won the sprint for second place ahead of former race leader Guillermo Thomas Silva of XDS Astana Team.

Asked when he first considered making his attack, Segaert said: “I would say yesterday evening. I had it always in mind, I was really happy with how the race was going, a hard pace on the climb and then teammates of the sprinters who were left had to ride hard and this was my chance to go in the final when they were all on the limit.”

Portugal’s Eulálio added six seconds to his advantage over pre-race favorite Jonas Vingegaard, leaving the Dane trailing the pink jersey by 33 seconds.

Johan Jacobs attacked from the start, and though his breakaway companions changed several times, the Swiss rider maintained a two-minute lead over the peloton after 100 kilometers as the race reached the day’s first climb.

Movistar, still seeking its first stage win in this year’s Giro, began driving the main bunch on the ascent and caught the leaders at the summit of Colle Giovo.

Several riders were dropped on the second climb, with Movistar working hard at the front for Orluis Aular, who finished second to Jhonatan Narváez on stage four; his teammate Enric Mas also lost time to the Ecuadorian on Wednesday.

Among those dropped were points classification leader Paul Magnier and Italian Jonathan Milan, and despite efforts by the sprint rivals to bridge the gap, they acknowledged their race was over for the day.

Eulálio surprised the bunch by taking the intermediate sprint, and Giulio Ciccone attempted to break away with 7 kilometers left, but the Italian’s attack was quickly neutralized. Segaert then struck, catching Vingegaard and his Visma-Lease a Bike team off guard and denying the sprinters their expected showdown. After all the effort, Movistar’s Aular had to settle for sixth place at the line.

Stage 13 on Friday takes the riders 189 kilometers from Alessandria to Verbania.