In the twelfth stage of the Giro d’Italia, the Italian Stefano Oldani (Alpecin-Felix) triumphed ahead of another compatriot Lorenzo Rota (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux). Dutchman Gijs Leemreize (Jumbo-Visma) completed the podium. In the longest stage of the competition, 204 km, starting in Parma and ending in Genoa, Oldani’s effort allowed him to win in the final sprint. The contest was reduced to a trio that at 55 km moved away from the group. The cyclist adds his first professional victory and the second Italian of this Giro D’Italia.
An unexpected victory for Oldani, which ended with a fall at the finish line and in tears to celebrate this moment of victory once he crossed the finish line.
His teammate Lorenzo Rota finished his race behind the leader, coming very close to the goal, winning one of the most important stages of the race. The third completed a podium that had stood out from the group with almost 60 kilometers to go, so the doubt remained until the last stage, where Oldani proved to be more tenacious than his rivals, allowing him to win his first stage in the ‘Giro ‘.
Several attacks were attempted in the peloton that were not completed in the first 40 kilometers and the group remained compact with no possibility of escape for any of the runners. At 80 meters from the finish line, a group of 25 separated ahead of the rest, including Van der Poel. The Trek-Segafredo of Juanpe López stayed at 4’40”.
After the hardest climb of the day, with peaks of 12% incline, only the final three cyclists remained who participated in the battle that saw Oldani win. The leader’s group stayed under control, without acceleration, with a delay of 8 minutes.
The Spaniard Juanpe López retains the ‘pink jersey’ at the end, after a hard and long stage that could leave an important mark on this Giro d’Italia. The Spanish cyclist continues to maintain a 12-second lead over the second and third.
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