Under a rainstorm, Enrico Battaglin conquered a great 5th place in Stage 12 of the Giro d’Italia.

The race had its decisive moment on the final climb of Monte Berico (1.2km with a gradient of 7.1%). A select group composed of 30 riders sprinted for the victory, from which Philippe Gilbert (BMC) took th win. Behind him, maglia rosa Alberto Contador (Tinkoff – Saxo) was second and a strong Enrico Battaglin who finished fifth.

Nicola Boem defended the points jersey. He also got a point in the first intermediate sprint.

”It was my home stage and I absolutely wanted to achieve a good result. From the Crosara climb with 27km to go, I was always in the first positions. In this way I could be with the best at the bottom of Monte Berico. I knew the climb and so I waited until the last 100 meters to come out. Gilbert was too far away but my sprint was good. It was really hard today but I can be satisfied looking at the riders who beat me."