Giro 2015 Stage 12: Gilbert climbs to win, Contador cements GC lead

Stage 12 is mostly flat, but the finale offers a series of nasty hills. The finish is at the top of a short and steep climb and it is there Philippe Gilbert launches his attack and he powers to the win. Contador finishes second and puts serious time into Aru. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 12th stage 2015 Giro

1. Philippe Gilbert (bel)
2. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.03
3. Diego Ulissi (ita) s.t.
4. Simon Gescke (ger) s.t.
5. Enrico Battaglin (ita) s.t.
6. Paolo Tiralongo (ita) s.t.
7. Ion Izagirre (spa) + 0.06
8. Carlos Betancur (col) s.t.
9. Jurgen Van den Broeck (bel) s.t.
10. Mikel Landa (spa) s.t.
11. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
12. Richie Porte (aus) s.t.

26. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.11

GC after stage 12
1. Alberto Contador (spa)
2. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.17
3. Mikel Landa (spa) + 055
4. Dario Cataldo (ita) + 1.30
5. Roman Kreuziger (cze) + 1.55
6. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 2.19
6. Giovanni Visconti (ita) + 2.21
8. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 2.29
9. Andrey Amador (crc) + 2.38
10. Leopold König (cze) + 2.44

12. Richie Porte (aus) + 3.18

Race report
The pace is high and it is only after 72 km’s a successful escape jumps of the front of the pack. Once they are off, the gap balloons fast and Gretsch, Appollonio, Barbin, Elissonde and Van der Lijke enjoy a 2 minutes gain in no time. There it lingers for a while, but at the climb to Castelnuovo the breakaway is history.

Zilioli is next to try his luck with Vervaeke chasing. After cresting Vervaeke goes solo and he is caught at the lower slopes of the Crosara. At the top Intxausti takes full KOM-points and cements his lead in the mountain classification. In the descent Gerrans hits the tarmac and he can forget about the stage win.

En route to the Pedarolo a decimated peloton with all GC men is upfront, while Pelizotti goes solo. The Italian is the first to crest, the pack at his heels. Kangert opens the chase in the descent en with 6 km’s left he makes it to the front of the race. With around half a minute headstart the duo arrives at the foot of the 1.5 kilometres closing climb and this proves to be not enough. Gilbert´s early attack is is splintering the pack and nobody is strong enough to match him. Contador finishes second at 3 seconds and not only takes 6 bonus seconds, he puts 8 seconds into Aru also.