Lars Bak attacks, Giro d'Italia 2012, stage 12

Lars Bak took one for himself in the Giro d'Italia's 12th stage to Sestri Levante. The Dane of team Lotto-Belisol rode free in an escape all day in the undulating roads above Cinque Terre and, with two kilometres remaining shot free. The stage win tops years of tireless work for leaders, including as lead-out man for Mark Cavendish at HTC-Highroad.

"I know if you ride five years like that, it's not easy to switch your mind and be a winner," sports director, Bart Leysen told Cycling Weekly. "It's a big present and he made it, he trained at all times to be ready, first for the Tour de France. However, he got his chance to race here at the last moment."

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