Two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe has made an impressive comeback with his first win of the season after an almost 140-kilometer breakaway attempt at the Giro d’Italia.
The Frenchman single-handedly won the 12th stage from Martinsicuro to Fano on Thursday ahead of Ecuador’s Jhonatan Narvaez after riding most of the 193-kilometer stretch with Italian Mirco Maestri in the lead.
After six stage victories in the Tour de France and a success in the Vuelta, Alaphilippe now also won a day in the Tour of Italy for the first time.
No movement in the overall ranking
With 11.5 kilometers to go, Alaphilippe made the decisive attack and shook off fellow breakaway Maestri to finally claim his first victory since June 5, 2023. A happy ending for the 31-year-old, after he was even attacked in the winter by his own team boss Patrick Lefevere, who had accused him of “partying too much, drinking too much” in the past.
Superstar Tadej Pogacar did not take part in the fight for the day’s victory. The Slovenian, together with the remaining podium contenders, reached the finish line just over five minutes behind.
This means that Pogacar is still 2:40 minutes ahead of the Colombian Daniel Felipe Martinez from the German Bora-hansgrohe team. Former British Tour champion Geraint Thomas is third overall, 2:56 minutes behind. Experienced Simon Geschke, who had been pushing his hunt for the mountain jersey in the last few days, did not put himself in the spotlight this time.
On Friday the sprinters can hope for the fifth mass arrival of this year’s Giro. The 13th section over 179 kilometers from Riccione to Cento runs over completely flat terrain. The second individual time trial and another mountain finish are on the agenda for the weekend.
