The 2012 Giro d'Italia started in Modena on Thursday and ended along the Adriatic coast in Fano with Mark Cavendish capturing the Stage 5 victory following a 4:43:15 run. This is his second stage victory in the Giro, previously capturing the Stage 2 loop run through Herning, Denmark. That stage, too, was a spring to the finish. Garmin-Barracuda's Robbie Hunter finished in fourth place for the stage while Matthew Harley Goss and Daniele Bennati took second and third place, respectively.
Garmin-Barracuda's Ramunas Navardauskas, however, retained his Maglia Rosa (pink jersey) at the conclusion of this stage with an overall time of 14:45:13. He now holds a five-second lead over teammate Robbie Hunter. Also from Garmin, Ryder Hesjedal is in third-place with an 11-second gap ahead of him. Christian Vande Velde is behind by 26 seconds, good for eighth place.
Here is the top 10 for Stage 5:
| Posn. | Name | Country | Team | Time | d | Time bonus |
| 1 | Mark Cavendish | GBR | SKY | 4:43:15 | 0:00 | 20" |
| 2 | Matthew Harley Goss | AUS | OGE | 4:43:15 | 0:00 | 12" |
| 3 | Daniele Bennati | ITA | RNT | 4:43:15 | 0:00 | 8" |
| 4 | Robbie Hunter | RSA | GRM | 4:43:15 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Sacha Modolo | ITA | COG | 4:43:15 | 0:00 | |
| 6 | Alexander Kristoff | NOR | KAT | 4:43:15 | 0:00 | |
| 7 | Elia Favilli | ITA | FAR | 4:43:15 | 0:00 | |
| 8 | Manuel Belletti | ITA | ALM | 4:43:15 | 0:00 | |
| 9 | Arnaud Demare | FRA | FDJ | 4:43:15 | 0:00 | |
| 10 | Jonas Aaen Jorgensen | DEN | SAX | 4:43:15 | 0:00 |
For more on the 2012 Giro d'Italia, stick with SB Nation Denver and visit cycling blog Podium Cafe.