Sam Bennett took a comfortable win in Stage 12 of the 2018 Giro d’Italia in the rain today for his second stage win of the race.
Entering into the final kilometers of the stage, the leading duo of Diego Ulissi and Carlos Betancur were caught by the peloton as they got onto the Imola track.
Bennett was the rider who went first and he went so early that it ended up being an extremely easy sprint, as the rest of the peloton couldn’t live with him.
His stage victory means he closes the gap on Maglia Ciclamino holder Elia Viviani to just 22 points, who was dropped when the pack split into two earlier in the day.
Race leader Simon Yates finished safely with the peloton and retains the maglia rosa for another day.
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner, Sam Bennett, said: “It was a tough final for a bunch sprint. There were two guys upfront. I didn’t know how much energy they had left so I went early because I didn’t want to let the stage get away from me. I didn’t know if I would hold the lead. It worked to my advantage. I heard that Viviani was off the back… then that he was back. I wasn’t sure. I just had to do my sprint. I think it’s a nicer win than the first one.”
The race leader, Simon Yates, said: “I guess these were favourable weather conditions for an Englishman. And also for an Irishman (Bennett)! It was a very difficult final. I think a few guys underestimated it, myself included. When Konrad and Dennis accelerated, I followed because I wasn’t sure who was trying to ride away. It all ended well.”
Stage 12 Brief Results:
- Sam Bennett (BORA-Hansgrohe) at h 49′ 34”
- Danny van Poppel (LottoNL-Jumbo) s.t.
- Niccolò Bonifazio (Bahrain Merida) s.t.
General Classification After Stage 12:
- Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) at 47h 08′ 21”
- Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) at 47”
- Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ) at 1′ 04”
- Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain-Merida) at 1′ 18”
- Richard Carapaz (MOVISTAR) at 1′ 56”
Jerseys:
- Maglia Rosa (pink), general classification leader, sponsored by Enel – Simon Yates (Mitchelton – Scott)
- Maglia Ciclamino (cyclamen), sprinter classification leader, sponsored by Segafredo – Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors)
- Maglia Azzurra (blue), King of the Mountains classification leader, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Simon Yates (Mitchelton – Scott)
- Maglia Bianca (white), young rider general classification leader, sponsored by Eurospin – Richard Carapaz (Movistar Team)
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