Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s enjoyed a relaxed 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia, the longest stage at 229 kilometres and one for the sprinters, won by Fernando Gaviria in Reggio Emilia.

"The weather is nice and the course beautiful," said Bram Tankink. "Especially that mountain loop was very beautiful. We could have also ridden straight, but it was nice to pass through those hills."

Tankink sat on his bike for five hours, 18 minutes. He and the rest of the team finished in the bunch.

"You know that these days are part of the Giro. It is especially important to keep cycling. In addition, you are busy eating, drinking and some little conversations. I spoke to all Dutch riders today. "

Reset

"You have to ride attentively on these days, as well, but as relaxed as possible," added Sports Director Addy Engels about today's and tomorrow's stages.

"These are stages to get rid of stress and to reset ourselves. This way we can prepare ourselves for the last week in the mountains.

“You stay relaxed as long as possible and look for each other in the final to be safe in the sprint. Fortunately, the sprints are less nervous than in the first week, where 80 men still wanted to participate. Now there are only 20. "

Tomorrow, the Giro starts in Emilia Romagna and heads to Tortona, the last opportunity for the sprinters to win in this Giro d’Italia.