Surprise and greatest success: Nico Denz celebrates the next German Giro coup

surprise and great success
Nico Denz celebrates the next German Giro coup

The German professional cyclist Nico Denz wins the 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia. The day after Pascal Ackermann’s coup, the 29-year-old triumphed as a breakaway. Lennard Kämna’s teammate celebrates the greatest success of his career so far.

Nico Denz threw both arms in the air on his racing bike, braked hard and disappeared into a cheering crowd from his team mechanics. Seconds earlier, the 29-year-old professional cyclist had sprinted to the greatest success of his career – and thus extended the German festival at the Giro d’Italia.

When Denz reappeared after the first celebrations, he was looking for the right words: “I don’t know what to say. Of course I’m super proud,” he said at the Rivoli finish: “There were only monsters around me. I knew I had to throw everything in.”

On the 12th stage of the Tour of Italy, after 185 km, Denz provided the next German stage victory in an impressive manner. After a long drive at the front, he secured his first day’s victory in a Grand Tour, emulating top sprinter Pascal Ackermann, who had triumphed in the mass sprint the day before.

In the sprint of the three-person leading group, Denz had the best legs and left his two competitors behind. Second was Toms Skujins from Latvia ahead of Australian Sebastian Berwick. With his acclaimed success, Denz ensured the first stage win for the German racing team Bora-hansgrohe at the 106th Giro.

Hard test on Friday

Britain’s Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), meanwhile, effortlessly defended his overall leader’s pink jersey. The sixth-placed German hopeful Lennard Kämna, Denz’ teammate at Bora, also crossed the finish line with the peloton and successfully defended his good position in the overall classification.

Around noon, UAE driver Ackermann and the rest of the field set off from the Piedmont town of Bra. The sprint specialist redeemed himself and the German professional cyclists on Wednesday with his first Giro stage win since 2019. It was “a very special victory,” said Ackermann, beaming and relaxed. “I’m super happy about my first win of the season. I’ve felt fantastic the last few days, but haven’t been able to show how strong I really am.”

Ackermann held back on the moderately difficult 12th stage. Anders Denz, who drove offensively from the start and was part of various top groups. On the pre-decisive, toxic climb around 30 km from the finish, he fought his way over the summit on the rear wheel of his opponent before his furious finale began.

The next real endurance test is on Friday. It’s over 199 km from Borgofranco d’Ivrea to the mountain finish in the Crans Montana ski area in the Swiss Alps. The top riders have to overcome a total of three climbs in the first category in the battle for the overall ranking.

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