Tamouridis shows sprinting legs yet again

Ioannis Tamouridis grabbed his third top 15-placing in the Giro d'Italia by sprinting to 9th on Thursday's 12th stage.

The Greek national time trial champion once again used his skills honed on the track to good effect on the 134-kilometre track from Longarone to Treviso.

While there was no stopping Cavendish taking his third win of the race, 'Tamu' did enough to hold off the likes of Bennati, Appollonio, Hunter and Bole to grab a creditable stage placing for the team.

As for team captain Samuel Sánchez, the 35-year-old had no trouble staying with the pack in the torrential rain that put an end to Bradley Wiggins' overall ambitions.

Heading into Thursday's leg, 'Samu' is still 18th overall.

Results:

• (1, Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), 3:01:47)
• 9, Ioannis Tamouridis, s.t.
• 64, Egoi Martínez, s.t.
• 82, Samuel Sánchez, s.t.
• 106, Jorge Azanza, 1:07
• 146, Gorka Verdugo, 1:59
• 178, Ricardo Mestre, 4:24
• 179, Robert Vrecer, s.t.
• 185, Miguel Mínguez, 4:27

Photo: Euskaltel Euskadi