Alec Segaert managed to escape with 3km to go and made it to the line in Novi Ligure alone to win Stage 12 of the 2026 Giro d’Italia while the remaining sprinters and their team-mates were exhausted at the end of a highly competitive stage.
Speaking in the press conference, the stage winner Alec Segaert said: “This victory is important for the team and for myself. The atmosphere in the team is great since Afonso [Eulalio] took the Maglia Rosa and I’m grateful to the team that I also got my own chance while we’re defending the Maglia Rosa. When I got the green light, I looked on velowiever to see the parcours, I saw this moment [3km to go], so I decided before the race that this could be a possibility. There were 1000 potential scenarios for this race and I’m happy it went that way. In cycling, it’s important to know what you are capable of and not. To win like this is super nice. I already had found memories of racing in Italy as a junior as I won the European title for time trial in Trento, coming to the Giro NextGen twice, helping Lennert Van Eetvelt come second in 2022 and winning the time trial and keeping the Maglia Rosa till the Stelvio in 2023… On Tuesday, I was frustrated after the time trial. I couldn’t go all out and show what I was capable of but I didn’t come to the Giro only for TT. I’m also here to defend the Maglia Rosa and build my own success”.
As Jhonathan Narvaez didn’t win once again but came eighth, Paul Magnier who didn’t make the first group retained the Maglia Ciclamino.
By winning the Red Bull km, Afonso Eulalio extended his to 33” instead of 27 over Jonas Vingegaard who rode safely in the first positions of the peloton towards the end.
The Maglia Rosa Afonso Eulalio said: “I think it’s a perfect day. The stage victory is super important for the team after three years with no win in Grand Tours. We lost Santiago Buitrago in the first days, we’ve had some hard days but we just keep fighting. Our team is super young, except for Damiano Caruso. Alec Segaert is my new room-mate, I don’t know, maybe I gave him some power with the Maglia Rosa! It’s Caruso who told me to go for the time bonus, I wasn’t convinced but when I saw that no one went for it, I just sprinted for ten seconds and that was it. It’ll be not enough to beat Jonas [Vingegaard], but against the other riders we’ll keep fighting”.
2026 Giro d’Italia Stage 12 Brief Results:
- Alec Segaert (Bahrain Victorious) – 175 km in 3h53’00”, av. speed 45.064 km/h
- Toon Aerts (Lotto Intermarchè) at 3″
- Guillermo Thomas Silva (XDS Astana Team) s.t.
General Classification After Stage 12
- Afonso Eulalio (Bahrain Victorious)
- Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) at 33″
- Thymen Arensman (Netcompany Ineos) at 2’03”
Official Jerseys
- Maglia Rosa, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Io Sono Friuli Venezia Giulia – Afonso Eulalio (Bahrain Victorious)
- Maglia Ciclamino, leader of the Points Classification, in cooperation with ITA – Italian Trade Agency – Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step)
- Maglia Azzurra, leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna Classification, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider Classification, born after 1 January 2001, sponsored by Conad – Afonso Eulalio (Bahrain Victorious) – worn by Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe)
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
Websites:
Bike World News
Ron’s Bike Garage
Current Bike Quiver:
Bird Bikes Zero 29 29″ hardtail mountain bike
Commencal Absolut 26″ Dirt Jump/Pump Track bike
Commencal Tempo 29″ full suspension mountain bike
Felt ZA 700c race bike
Kona Kilauea vintage 26″ mountain bike
Niner RLT9 700c road/gravel bike
Specialized Stumpjumper vintage 26″ mountain bike
Day Job: Digital Marketing
Night Job: Digital Marketing, eCommerce Consultant, Web Consultant, Bike Shop Operator, Husband, Dad, Tenor
Discover more from Bike World News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.