Bennett wins 12th stage, Yates maintains lead at Giro

IMOLA, ITALY — Sam Bennett of Ireland pulled off a superb final attack to win the 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday while Simon Yates remained in the overall lead.

Bennett began his sprint a long way out to storm past Matej Mohoric and Carlos Betancur, and claim his second victory of the race at a wet finish to the 214kilometre route from Osimo to the motorsport circuit of Imola.

“I saw two guys ahead, my team had done so much work for me and I couldn’t let them down. I just went for it,” said Bennett, who rides for Bora-Hansgrohe.

“I looked back when I saw how far away the line was. I didn’t know if I would make it but I kept going and I pulled it off.”

Danny van Poppel was second, just ahead of Niccolo Bonifazio.

The general classification was unchanged as Yates retained his 47-second advantage over defending champion Tom Dumoulin of the Netherlands.

Thibaut Pinot was third, 1:04 behind the British cyclist.

“I guess these were favourable weather conditions for an Englishman. And also for an Irishman!” Yates said.

The stage was meant to be a relatively easy one before the race hits the mountains this weekend, but rain and hail in the final 30 kilometres and the one classified climb of the day added to the drama.

Tim Wellens attacked with just over 20 kilometres remaining and built a lead of 23 seconds before being caught.