CyclingRevealed's Giro '08 Perspective

Tappa 12, May 22nd, Forli to Carpi, 172 km Flat Stage

Two Active Days to Rest

Flat sprinter stages have been few and far between in this year's Giro d'Italia. For the next two day the peloton will roll across pancake flat roads of the Emilia Romagna region of northern Italy . With barely a bump in the course the riders will actively rest their tired legs.

The first eleven stages have been demanding with difficult race courses, tough climbs, bad weather and long transfers between races. This weekend the Giro officially enters the mountains and rested contenders will fare well. Stages 12 and 13 will provide the rest, albeit active.

Boldly Euskaltel's Dionisio Galparsoro Martinez jumped away off the start line and escaped a passive peloton. Through the first third of the stage Galparsoro gained a 14 minute lead.

The lead began to fall with Quick Step setting the temp in the peloton. Galparsoro was starting to tire as the average speed increased and frequent visits of the team car gave the signal.

A heavy rain slowed the pace of both the breakaway and the chase with 40 km to the finish in Capri as the time gap remained steady. With drier roads the gap was down to 1'46” under the 30 km banner.

Tiring badly and peddling squares Galparsoro came back to the peloton. After 162 km (100 miles) off the front he was mercifully captured by the pack.

With wet roads and twisting turns the official time for the stage was taken at the 3 km mark, leaving the finish to the sprinters.

High Road took over the peloton with Adam Hansen and Bradley Wiggins taking Mark Cavendish under the 2 km to go banner. The remaining group flew through two very wide, sweeping turns. Daniele Bennati jumped through the final corner with Robbie McEwen and Cavendish closing a small gap. At the line Bennati and Cavendish throw their bike... the photo will determine the winner.

Stage winner Daniele Bennati [ Images © La Gazetta ]

Race officials gather to view the photo and award the stage win to Daniele Bennati. Giovanni Visconte held the Maglia Rosa for another stage.

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