Segaert Wins Giro Stage 12 as Eulálio Extends Overall Lead

Alec Segaert won stage 12 of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday with a late attack, and his Bahrain Victorious teammate Afonso Eulálio increased his overall lead by collecting bonus seconds in the intermediate sprint.

The 175-kilometer ride from Imperia to Novi Ligure appeared set for a bunch sprint until Segaert, a Belgian rider making his Giro debut, surged away 3 kilometers from the finish and held off the chasing peloton to take the victory.

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 decided to 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.”

Eulálio, of Portugal, extended his advantage over favorite Jonas Vingegaard by six seconds, with the Dane now 33 seconds behind in the overall classification.

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 first of two climbs.

Movistar, still seeking its first stage win of this Giro, drove 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 for Orluis Aular, who finished second on stage four, and Enric Mas, who lost time to Jhonatan Narváez on Wednesday.

Among those dropped were points leader Paul Magnier and Italian Jonathan Milan. Despite their sprint rivals working together to bridge the gap, they realized their race was over for the day.

Eulálio surprised the bunch first at the intermediate sprint, and Giulio Ciccone attempted a move with 7 kilometers left, but his attack was quickly neutralized. Segaert then caught Vingegaard and his Visma-Lease a Bike team off guard, denying the sprinters their expected showdown. Movistar’s Aular finished sixth.

Friday’s stage 13 takes riders 189 kilometers from Alessandria to Verbania.