Giro d'Italia, Stage 12

Stage 12, Thursday, May 19, 2011, CASTELFIDARDO-RAVENNA, 184 KM

Mirco Soprani, Mayor of Castelfidardo and descendant of the inventor of the accordion, Paolo Soprani, officially started today’s race. On the signature podium at the “International City of the Accordion”, the Mayor donated two celebrative accordions of the two major local brands, Settimo Soprani (that began here its production in 1873)to the Maglia Rosa Alberto Contador and a Dino Baffetti to John Gadret, the winner of yesterday’s race.


START
186 riders start out at 12.57 pm. At 5km the group of Minguez, Ricci Bitti, Clement and Golas escape. At 20 km they reach their maximum advantage over the peloton: 4’50”. E’ Htc – Highroad takes over leading leads the chase.

In località Montemarciano, km 29.5, the fugitives have an advantage of 2’50”. The gap then stabilizes at 3’. After the first hour the average speed is 39,600 km/h.

At km 68 the gap is 3’22”. At km 76: 3’08”. After two hours the average speed is 39,900 km/h.

At 100 km from the arrival in Ravenna the gap of Minguez, Ricci Bitti, Clement and Golas falls to 3’22”. At 59 km to the finish the gap is 2’26”.

Intermediate Sprint, Cesenatico (FC): Ricci Bitti, Golas, Clement and Minguez; the peloton passes 2’50” later.

-25 km the four leaders have a 1’15” advantage.

-14 km the leaders are caught. The squad of Cavenindish control the head of the peloton.

-1.8 km a crash splits the peloton.

Renshaw leads out Cavendish to 150m. Petacchi anticipates and launches first but is passed by Cavendish at the line.


FINISH
Mark Cavendish snatches another stage win, second is young Davide Appollonio, third Alessandro Petacchi. It's Cav's 7th Giro stage victory, second of this Giro. Both Cavendish and Petacchi are going home after today.

Time of the winner: 4h 17’ 25”, average speed of 42,887 km/h.

Classification leaders:
Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank Sungard) is the Maglia Rosa Estathé.
Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre – ISD) is the Maglia Rosso Passione Gruppo Saint-Gobain.
Roman Kreuziger (Pro Team Astana) is the Maglia Bianca Adecco.
Filippo Savini (Colnago – CSF Inox) is the Maglia Verde Banca Mediolanum.

Stage 13, Spilimbergo-Grossglockner (Austria), 167 km, is rated "Alta Montagna". Grossglockner is Austria's highest mountain; beginning this June cyclists will have to pay to ride it. Read more here. Grossglockner:




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