Further Giro d'Italia disappointment for out-of-gas Ben Turner after mechanical dashes hopes on stage 12

Ben Turner’s hopes of a strong result at the Giro d’Italia suffered another blow on stage 12 after a late mechanical issue dashed his chances. The Netcompany-Ineos rider had successfully navigated the demanding Bric Berton climb, which saw several top sprinters dropped, positioning himself as a potential contender for the stage win. However, with just 24 kilometres remaining, Turner suffered a puncture to his rear tyre and was forced to change bikes while the peloton was moving at full speed, costing him valuable energy and momentum. Despite immediate support from teammates Jack Haig and Embret Svestad-Bårdseng, who helped pace him back to the front group, Turner was unable to respond to the final accelerations in the closing kilometres. After a tremendous effort to rejoin the leading pack, he ultimately fell behind with just over four kilometres to go and finished the stage in 73rd place, more than three minutes behind the winner Alec Segaert. Turner admitted afterwards that he was running on empty and described the day as one of bad luck compounded by fatigue from the climbs. This setback adds to a pattern of frustration for Turner in this year’s Giro. Earlier in the race, he sacrificed his own ambitions on stage 4 to assist Egan Bernal, the team’s general classification leader, by pacing him back after difficulties on a climb. Turner’s credentials as a strong sprinter, including a stage win at the Vuelta a España where he outpaced top rivals like Jasper Philipsen, made the absence of some leading sprinters on stage 12 a rare opportunity for him to shine. The team’s presence in the front group and Turner’s form had suggested a promising outcome that ultimately did not materialise. Netcompany-Ineos remain focused on their general classification ambitions, with Thymen Arensman currently sitting on the virtual podium and Egan Bernal safely in the main group. While Filippo Ganna has already secured a time trial victory, the team is still seeking a coveted road stage win. With another challenging stage featuring a late climb scheduled for stage 13, Turner and his team will be hoping for better fortune and a chance to capitalise on the race’s evolving dynamics.