After a restful 12th stage of the Giro for the favourites, Nico Denz (Bora-Hansgrohe) won in the sprint at the expense of his last two breakaway comrades Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) and Sebastian Berwick (Israel-Premier Tech). The German signed his first victory in a Grand Tour there.
Glory day for Denz, the hot favourites. The 12th stage of the Giro, this Thursday between Bra and Rivoli gave rise to a very quiet day which played into the hands of one of the last three escapees of the day: Nico Denz (Bora-Hansgrohe). Along with Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) and Sebastian Berwick (Israel-Premier Tech), the 29-year-old German rider was one of the three survivors of a morning breakaway made up of around thirty riders.
Determined not to let this first opportunity to unblock his counter on a Grand Tour pass, Denz, who had held on in the last difficulty of the day and then had then tried his luck alone without managing to win his two companions, imposed all power at the expense of Skujins, Berwick, him, having quickly understood that he could not have the last word. A victory that the former lieutenant of Romain Bardet within the DSM formation is not about to forget.
Denz, last minute guest in the breakaway
“I don’t really know what to say, it’s really big for me what just happened, I’m very proud. » And almost surprised, because the hero of the day was not supposed to be part of this river escape. ” But the color scheduled for me said it wouldn’t work, so I was given the green light to go. » If Denz’s joy was a pleasure to see, Skujins, for his part, felt a lot of bitterness after coming close to winning once again. “I’m a bit disappointed, because it was really, really close. We did everything to let go of Nico, but it was impossible: he held on and was there, and he won in the sprint. »
Geraint Thomas, like all the contenders for the final victory after the abandonment of Remco Evenepoel, witnessed the victory of the German from afar. The Briton asked for nothing better. Still leading, he is two seconds ahead of Primoz Roglic and 22 over Joao Almeida before the 13th stage on Friday.
