Giro 2018 Stage 12: Sam Bennett hits top gear at rain soaked Imola

Sam Bennett delivered victory number two for BORA-hansgrohe in spectacular fashion. The Irishman looked full of confidence in a chaotic, windswept and wet finale, chasing down a bold move from Carlos Betancur and Matej Mohric in the final 500m before opening the after burners to scorch past them and leave his sprint rivals trailing in his wake. Danny van Poppel and a fast finishing Niccolo Bonifazio rounded out the podium. The GC contenders were relieved to get through a tricky stage without mishap and the top ten remains the same.

Rider of the Race

The award so very nearly went to Movistar’s Carlos Betancur for surprising me with an attack-like-he-meant-it-moment. However, there was something extraordinary about the victory today and I can’t ignore it, so for the second time this Giro step forward Sam Bennett.

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On stage 7 it was Sam’s persistence and patience that secured the win and the award. Today was a very different scenario and it took confidence and courage. Biblical amounts of rain made for a very nervous finale and BORA did a fantastic job keeping their sprinter at the sharp end of the action as the peloton split and regrouped numerous times. The category 4 Tre Monti climb on the finishing circuit was taken at a ferocious pace and sodden riders were spat out the back at an alarming rate. Not so Sam, he was strong and leading from the front. It was every man for himself on the sketchy descent as they chased the leading duo back onto the race track at Imola.

Mohoric and Betancur were still holding a gap as the finish line hurtled into view. The BORA fast man wasn’t prepared to wait any longer and took matters into his own hands. He took a sling shot from the EF Pinkies, shot through gears to overhaul the duo and engaged the turbo for a looooong twenty seconds (ouch) to take the chequered flag – it could only have been more perfect if there had actually been one.

It was pure power, it was a gamble that paid off and how very fitting for a victory at Imola.

We still had two guys in front. I didn’t know how much energy they had left, but I didn’t want another stage getting away from me, so I decided to go early. I didn’t know if I could hold it or not. I think I caught some guys by surprise, so it worked to my advantage. The guys did an unbelievable job today, especially in the final kilometres. The victory wouldn’t have happened without them, today was a real team effort.

LOVE how BORA-hansgrohe teamsters Christophe Pfingsten and Patrick Konrad celebrate this win with identical salutes.

🙌 @Sammmy_Be wins 12th stage of #Giro with a long-range sprint. 2nd win for the @BORAhansgrohe rider in the #Giro101. pic.twitter.com/VInh9JYgCq

— Brain on Wheels 🚲 (@BrainOnWheels) May 17, 2018

On another note, this was how I felt in the final meters after hitting out early😅 #Giro101 pic.twitter.com/jkldE93L3B

— Sam Bennett (@Sammmy_Be) May 17, 2018

Oh and Sam – the ice creams are on Mr Sean Kelly. Mine’s a Tutti Frutti please.

Imola #Giro101 #stage12 @SeanKellyCC @Sammmy_Be @Eurosport_UK @ASSOS_LDN pic.twitter.com/aowgdhcwVa

— Brian Smith (@BriSmithy) May 17, 2018

What about the maglia ciclamino Midge?

Quickstepper Elia Viviani had a jours sans. On the wrong side of a split with 30km to go, the Italian caught back on only to be dropped again as they reached Imola the first time round. There was obviously some miscommunication in the QS ranks as he was without a teammate while they were riding on the front. He certainly cut a sad and bedraggled sight riding alone at the finish and on the podium later. With the Italian out of the final he remains on a total of 184 points with Bennett closing fast on on 162. Stage 13 could be another for the sprinters – perhaps their last chance before Rome. It’s all to play for.

Bad day. pic.twitter.com/QHiB3r1HS1

— ELIA VIVIANI (@eliaviviani) May 17, 2018

Tweets that caught my eye…

You’re never far away from cycling’s history in Italy.

Les noms de rues juste à côté de l’emplacement des bus au départ du jour. Le même jour où la course va croiser Rimini. #lequipeGIRO #lachainelequipe pic.twitter.com/zzon9vrEFr

— Claire Bricogne (@ClaireBricogne) May 17, 2018

It’s a work of art but I wouldn’t like to ride it over the cobbles.

What could be more natural than taking your dog for a ride in the wooden basket of your wooden bicycle on a warm and sunny morning? #Giro101 pic.twitter.com/dIWCwkGzt2

— The Cycling Podcast (@cycling_podcast) May 17, 2018

Peloton stage reports

It was a sprint, just not the one we were expecting.

Stage 12, over-simplified: a relaxed stage for a bunch sprint, in pouring rain, was neither relaxed nor a true bunch sprint.

— Chad Haga (@ChadHaga) May 17, 2018

There is always something at the giro. Tricky little final with the wind and rain in the final, but another page ripped out of the race book 👌

— SamBewley (@SamBewley) May 17, 2018

In other news, making front group when you have no idea there is a front group nor were you trying to make front group and then realising you’re front group after you get asked if you’re front group over the radio is a good feeling.

— Alex Dowsett (@alexdowsett) May 17, 2018

Full stage report from Cycling News