{"id":685204,"date":"2026-05-21T13:14:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T13:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/685204\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T13:14:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T13:14:12","slug":"giro-ditalia-stage-12-live-six-riders-part-of-reformed-breakaway-with-climb-looking-on-the-horizon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/685204\/","title":{"rendered":"Giro d’Italia stage 12 LIVE: Six riders part of reformed breakaway with climb looking on the horizon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Refresh <\/p>\n

2026-05-21T13:09:49.671Z<\/p>\n

So we almost have the same personnel as the original break, only with Johan Jacobs, Fredrik Dversnes Lavik and Jonas Rutsch in place of L\u00f3pez and Bais.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T13:07:50.336Z<\/p>\n

Those 6 riders have all come together, and everyone else appears to have been caught by the peloton again.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T13:07:15.261Z<\/p>\n

Geens and Van der Lee are chasing Jacobs, and behind them are Tarozzi, Rutsch and Dversnes.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T13:06:00.292Z<\/p>\n

The break aren’t working together, and they’ve now started attacking each other. The first to do so is Jacobs, just as he did at the very start of the day.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T13:05:07.896Z<\/p>\n

40 seconds is their lead.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T13:04:30.968Z<\/p>\n

This is developing into an increasingly unusual stage.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T13:03:51.419Z<\/p>\n

A lot of these riders are teammates of sprinters, and therefore not doing any work. Will this new break be cohesive enough to stay clear?<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T13:03:00.651Z<\/p>\n

The other riders who had already made it into the group earlier: Stuyven, Kubis, Van den Bossche, Pedersen, Teutenberg, Svestad-B\u00e5rdseng<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T13:01:20.141Z<\/p>\n

6 more riders join the leaders – Rutsch, De Vries, Sobrero, Naesen and Bayer and another.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:59:59.760Z
\n100KM TO GO<\/p>\n

35 seconds for the lead group, made up of the five original escapees plus about five others. There are several more riders in between trying to join them, too.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:58:06.864Z<\/p>\n

This is some turn up for the books!<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:57:51.348Z<\/p>\n

Those riders have caught the five leaders, and are now 30 seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:57:18.035Z<\/p>\n

They’ve got a big gap too.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:56:17.858Z<\/p>\n

There’s some big names here too, including Ganna and Stuyven.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:55:04.742Z<\/p>\n

8 riders have gone clear, and more are following.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:54:43.435Z<\/p>\n

It’s kicking off again in the peloton, with new attacks being made!<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:52:38.741Z<\/p>\n

The gap’s actually coming down again, to just 45 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:48:42.154Z<\/p>\n

The peloton won\u2019t want to catch them so early, as that would open things up for another round of attacks to form a new – and potentially more dangerous – breakaway.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:47:36.277Z
\n110KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The relaxation in pace is yet to show in the time gap, which remains at one minute. The breakaway riders themselves are taking it easy, perhaps as a means to threaten the peloton with sitting up going back into the peloton, unless they\u2019re given a bigger advantage. It\u2019s an interesting game of brinkmanship.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:43:33.148Z<\/p>\n

A development in the peloton – they’ve stopped chasing. The gap had come back to within a minute, and they seem to fear making the catch too early.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:40:19.245Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"NOVI\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:35:44.611Z<\/p>\n

Last but not least, Jardi Christiaan van der Lee is the fifth and final member of the break. He\u2019s another rider who loves to get up the road, having featured in several World Tour breakaways earlier this season, and is doing the work for EF as they continue to chase an elusive stage win at this race.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:33:07.449Z
\n120KM TO GO<\/p>\n

1:15 is the break’s lead as they continue to work together.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:32:26.338Z<\/p>\n

Bais’ breakaway companion, Manuele Tarozzi, is likely to be a rival in that super-combativity award, having been in almost as many breakaways, including even the Bulgaria stages where nobody wanted to be up the road.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:29:44.037Z<\/p>\n

Mattia Bais is the day’s Team Polti representative in the break, as he has been in almost every stage since the race reached Italy. At this rate, he’ll surely be in the running for the super-combativity award.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:25:14.871Z<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no surprise to see an Alpecin rider in the break. They\u2019ve desperately needed to rethink their approach at this Giro since the abandonment of leader and sprinter Kaden Groves. Today, it\u2019s up to Jonas Geens to do the unlikely and help this break succeed.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:20:21.215Z
\n130KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The gap is at least no longer coming down. The peloton are keeping them pinned at 1:15.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:19:37.041Z<\/p>\n

The five riders in the day’s break.<\/p>\n

\n

\"NOVI\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:18:11.113Z<\/p>\n

It\u2019s curious to see the peloton chasing so hard, as on paper this break doesn’t look especially threatening, especially compared with those from previous stages.<\/p>\n

Arguably the biggest name here is former Maglia Rosa wearer Juan Pedro L\u00f3pez, although he would have preferred hillier terrain than this. Even his Movistar team didn\u2019t seem convinced by his presence in the break, as they tried to get their other rider Milesi in it too.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:08:49.915Z
\n140KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The peloton are bringing the brea back already, which is now just 1:07 ahead. Surely they won’t want to make the catch early?<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:07:37.575Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:05:22.888Z<\/p>\n

Despite having parcours seeming so finely poised between the break and the sprinter, this stage is looking firmly in the advantage of the latter.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:03:42.531Z<\/p>\n

The riders are hardly taking it easy though, despite these pleasant roads. The peloton are keeping the break at a stingy margin of just a minute and a half.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T12:01:17.966Z<\/p>\n

Those climbs aren\u2019t for a while yet. Before then the riders get to enjoy another 60km of flat roads.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:57:37.943Z<\/p>\n

What\u2019s interesting is which teams are doing the pace-setting. As expected, Sodal QuickStep are doing some of the work, for their two-stage winner Paul Magnier. But they\u2019re also being aided by Unibet Rose Rockets, whose sprinter Dylan Groenewegen is one of the names you’d expect to struggle to stay in contention on the climbs.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:54:34.859Z
\n150KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The break’s been allowed 1:55, but already some sprinter teams have started riding tempo in the peloton to control them.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:50:37.589Z<\/p>\n

The scene at the start earlier.<\/p>\n

\n

\"IMPERIA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:48:48.938Z<\/p>\n

The gap’s growing still, now up to 1:30. That’s likely to be too big for anybody who has missed this break to bridge up to it now.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:46:46.068Z<\/p>\n

The pace is off in the peloton and no more attacks are forthcoming. It looks like we might have our break of the day.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:45:24.549Z
\n160KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Those five have 45 seconds on the peloton, while the counters behind have all been neutralised.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:44:10.849Z<\/p>\n

Tarozzi was the Bardiani rider, and he’ joined the four leaders – Bais, Van der Lee, Geens and Juan Pedro L\u00f3pez.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:40:12.567Z<\/p>\n

It’s not over yet though – several more are trying attacks.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:38:46.048Z<\/p>\n

It’s all bunched up at the front of the peloton again, but a Bardiani rider has managed to escape through the block.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:37:44.115Z<\/p>\n

A new group of four has gone up the road.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:36:39.943Z<\/p>\n

And now those 6 have been caught.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:36:22.205Z<\/p>\n

You might have thought the sprinters’ teams would be happy with such a small group, but they’re being chased down.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:35:07.309Z<\/p>\n

Those other three riders are Cavagna, Mifsud and Tarozzi.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:34:19.658Z<\/p>\n

The two chasers have caught Jacobs, along with 3 more riders<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:32:44.575Z<\/p>\n

Jacobs is sill leading the race by himself, with Maestri and Dversnes Lavik chasing behind.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:30:27.499Z<\/p>\n

We’re entering good territory to form a break now, as the road is going a little uphill.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:28:44.019Z<\/p>\n

Fredrik Dversnes Lavik is one of those riders, and he’s bridged up to Maestri.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:28:01.137Z<\/p>\n

Already lots of other attacks have defied that attempted block and made new moves.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:26:51.291Z<\/p>\n

There was an attempt to block the road at the front of the peloton by teams not wanting anyone other than these two riders in the break, but that’s very unlikely to happen on a route like today’s.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:25:15.490Z<\/p>\n

He’s marked though, and instead Maestri counter attacks.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:24:29.944Z<\/p>\n

UAE are in the mood again – Bjerg attacks out of the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:23:22.272Z<\/p>\n

The others have been caught, but Jacobs remains out front.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:22:21.780Z<\/p>\n

He’s joined by Garcia Cortina, Maestri, and a Bardiani rider.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:21:30.738Z<\/p>\n

As was the case yesterday, Groupama begin the attacks with a move from Jacobs.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:20:37.169Z
\nOFFICIAL START<\/p>\n

And they’re off!<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:20:14.786Z<\/p>\n

Here’s more on Van Eetvelt’s abandon, that has left the struggling Lotto with just four riders left in the race.<\/p>\n

‘A major setback’ – Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 down to four riders at the Giro d’Italia as leader crashes out<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:18:20.559Z<\/p>\n

A second rider has also abandoned – Sjoerd Bax, who was so good in the time trial a couple of days ago when he finished fourth.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:11:15.165Z<\/p>\n

So brace yourself for another intense stage beginning once the flag drops!<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:10:41.011Z<\/p>\n

While this is far from being as nailed-on a day for the breakaway as yesterday, there\u2019s still likely to be multiple riders eager to get up the road from the start. They will, however, come up against sprinters\u2019 team who will want a group of a manageable size, and one they believe they can bring back.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:07:01.457Z<\/p>\n

The riders have just been cheered off by the crowd assembled at Imperia for the unofficial start.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T11:00:02.131Z<\/p>\n

A reminder of what happened yesterday. It\u2019s not implausible that Jhonatan Narv\u00e1ez might get into the break today to chase what would be a fourth stage win. He\u2019s on a stunning hot streak at this Grand Tour, the kind that\u2019s very rare for riders who are neither sprinters nor GC men.<\/p>\n

Giro d’Italia: Jhonatan Narv\u00e1ez outduels Enric Mas for victory on stage 11 as breakaway prevails<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T10:55:23.475Z<\/p>\n

Sadly, one rider hasn\u2019t made it to the start today – Lennert Van Eetvelt. The young Belgian had looked in promising form, but crashed yesterday and has been deemed unfit to continue the race.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T10:51:27.500Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"IMPERIA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T10:48:59.947Z<\/p>\n

For more details about the route, have a read of our stage preview.<\/p>\n

2026 Giro d’Italia stage 12 preview – Expect a battle royale between sprinters and breakaway in ‘reverse Milan-San Remo’ stage<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T10:46:06.422Z<\/p>\n

Like many stages of this Giro d\u2019Italia, today\u2019s parcours is intriguingly balanced. There\u2019s enough climbing to give attackers hope of surviving, but not enough to rule out a bunch sprint either.<\/p>\n

2026-05-21T10:42:57.823Z<\/p>\n

Hello and welcome to stage 12 of the Giro d’Italia!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Refresh 2026-05-21T13:09:49.671Z So we almost have the same personnel as the original break, only with Johan Jacobs, Fredrik…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":685205,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[569],"tags":[64,63,784,85],"class_list":["post-685204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-cycling","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/685204","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=685204"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/685204\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/685205"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=685204"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=685204"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=685204"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}