Alec Segaert stole a march to win stage 12 of the Giro d\u2019Italia on Thursday and his Bahrain Victorious teammate Afonso Eul\u00e1lio snatched bonus seconds in the intermediate sprint to extend his overall lead.<\/p>\n
The 175-km ride from Imperia to Novi Ligure looked to be headed for a sprint finish before the Belgian rider Segaert made his telling move 3km from the line and held off the chasing pack to take the win on his Giro debut.<\/p>\n
His compatriot Toon Aerts, of the Lotto-Intermarche team, won the dash for second ahead of the one-time race leader Guillermo Thomas Silva (XDS Astana Team).<\/p>\n
Asked afterwards when he thought about making his attack, Segaert said: \u201cI would say yesterday evening. I had it always in mind, I was really happy with how the race was going, a hard pace on the climb and then teammates of the sprinters who were left had to ride hard and this was my chance to go in the final when they were all on the limit.\u201c<\/p>\n
Portugal\u2019s Eul\u00e1lio put an extra six seconds between himself and the favourite, Jonas Vingegaard, with the Dane now 33 seconds off the pink jersey.<\/p>\n
Johan Jacobs attacked from the start, and while his breakaway companions changed several times, the Swiss rider was still two minutes ahead of the peloton after 100km as the race reached the first of the day\u2019s two climbs.<\/p>\n
Movistar, yet to win a stage in this year\u2019s Giro, began to drive the main bunch once they hit the ascent and the leaders were reeled in as they reached the top of Colle Giovo.<\/p>\n