Stefano Oldani (Alpecin-Fenix) has taken the second stage in two days for the host nation at the Giro d'Italia; the 24-year-old proving best today from a large breakaway into Genova.
The 204km stage started at a frenetic pace and continued in that vein for a long time; the riders racing 60km of aggressive action beforr the breakaway of over 20 riders managed to get clear.
From that move three riders broke free over the top of the climb of La Colletta, crested with just over 50km to go. Eventual stage winner Oldani was among that trio, along with Lorenzo Rota (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) and Gijs Leemreize (Jumbo-Visma).
They were chased hard by a very strong group that emerged from the remainder of the breakaway. However, the leading trio managed to hold on to sprint it out for victory.
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Leemreize (22) led out the gallop but was passed by both Oldani and Rota, who were 1st and 2nd. Some 57 seconds after the leader finished, Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) led home the chasing group, for 4th, from Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious), Wilco Kelderman (Bora-hansgrohe) and Lucas Hamilton (BikeExchange-Jayco).
The remains of the main field - containing just over 100 riders - was 9:08 down on the winner. And as Giro leader Juan Pedro López (Trek-Segafredo) was in that group, and well supported by his team all day, he retains the maglia rosa.
Tomorrow's stage 13 is 150km from Sanremo to Cuneo and though there is a cat 3 climb, crested after 55km, it should be one for the breakaway men or, possibly, a sprint finish.
