Alec Segaert outsmarts sprint favorites with sensational break in Giro d’Italia

Alec Segaert produced a sensational performance to win the twelfth stage of the Giro d’Italia. The Belgian rider from Bahrain Victorious attacked in the final kilometers from a reduced peloton and held off the sprinters. After Movistar had dropped the top sprinters, the time trial specialist proved to be the smartest and strongest, finishing ahead of the surprising Toon Aerts (Lotto-Intermarché) and Ethan Vernon (NSN).

The attackers were eager in stage eleven of the Giro, where Jhonatan Narváez established himself as the undisputed king of the break. The Ecuadorian from UAE Team Emirates-XRG secured his third stage victory of this edition, which is only halfway through. The beleaguered Emirati squad has been on cloud nine, already claiming four victories despite losing three riders in stage two.

The stage from Imperia to Novi Ligure promised to be unpredictable. The crucial phase came after 100 kilometers. Would the double ascent of Bric Berton be enough to shed the sprinters, or could the fast men stay in contention for the win? Much depended on how the early part of the stage unfolded.

A fierce battle for the early breakaway was expected, but it was relatively tame. Five riders eventually escaped, with Dutch representation from Jardi Christiaan van der Lee (EF Education-EasyPost). He was joined by Belgian Jonas Geens (Alpecin-Premier Tech), Spaniard Juan Pedro López (Movistar), and Italians Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF Saber 7) and Mattia Bais (Polti VisitMalta).

Calm returned briefly, with Unibet Rose Rockets controlling the race. They did so with a bit too much zeal, allowing Hartthijs de Vries to bring the peloton back within a minute of the leaders. Although the pace slowed, it was too late: the attackers seized the opportunity again and surged forward. Before long, a group of about twenty riders was at the front.

Collaboration faltered, and a few riders escaped from this group. Of the six new leaders, three were familiar faces: Geens, Tarozzi, and Van der Lee. This time they were joined by Johan Jacobs (Groupama-FDJ), Jonas Rutsch (Lotto-Intermarché), and Fredrik Dversnes (Uno-X Mobility). However, their advantage never became significant.

The riders gradually approached the climbs in the final stretch, obstacles that would challenge the sprinters. With Movistar no longer represented in the break, they were expected to increase the pace, as they had in stage four. The white train indeed accelerated, aiming to drop the strongest sprinters.

The ill Tobias Lund Andresen soon lost contact, as did Dylan Groenewegen, struggling with the pace. Jonathan Milan and Paul Magnier hung on longer but were challenged on the first hill. In the valley, the duo regained contact, but on the next climb, they cracked. The purple jersey holder dropped 2.5 km from the top, likely for good.

Milan, despite resisting valiantly, also gave way. They regrouped with other chasers including Casper van Uden. Their teams faced a tough task to bring the sprinters back to the front, as the gap was already a minute and continued to grow on the descent.

Movistar was not the only team working. EF Education-EasyPost still had Madis Mihkels in the front group, while NSN had Corbin Strong and Ethan Vernon as survivors. These three teams collaborated effectively, preventing Magnier and company from closing the gap. Ben Turner (Netcompany INEOS) was also upfront but suffered a puncture at a crucial moment.

Pink jersey holder Afonso Eulálio effortlessly picked up a few bonus seconds. The group pressed on to the finale, while Magnier and Milan’s group lost more time and conceded with 15 kilometers to go. The outsiders sensed their chance as the peloton was reduced to about sixty riders.

But sprinting? Not if Giulio Ciccone had his say. The Italian accelerated on the final little climb, leaving the sprinter teams with little left to contest. Igor Arrieta (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) tried to close the gap but did not take over the chase, causing the attempt to fail.

Here Alec Segaert saw his moment. The Belgian from Bahrain Victorious attacked three kilometers from the finish and immediately opened a decisive gap. Behind him, Tudor and Uno-X Mobility tried to close the gap, while the sprint began in the final kilometer. It was too late: Segaert held on for a memorable victory, ahead of countryman Toon Aerts (Lotto-Intermarché).