The 2012 Giro d'Italia is down to one last stage after Thomas De Gendt captured victory on Saturday. An individual time trial in Milano awaits the cyclists, and there is no clear favorite. While Joaquim Rodriguez leads the overall race by 31 seconds ahead of Garmin-Barracuda's Ryder Hesjedal, the maglia rosa and the general classification lead is not secure by any means.
Now, De Gendt's victory on Stage 20 is likely to be much discussed for his ride through the Stelvio and then to the end, as Podium Cafe writes:
De Gendt pushed his lead out to five and a half minutes, nearly his entire deficit to the maglia rosa, before tiring a bit at the end and holding on for a one-minute win over Damiano Cunego and 3.22 over race leader Joaquim Rodriguez and 3.36 over challenger Ryder Hesjedal.
De Gendt is in fourth place, but a +2:18 delay is unlikely to be bridged on Sunday during the ITT. This race now seems to be between Rodriguez and Hesjedal. The Garmin rider is certainly in a strong position to take over the GC lead.
Here is how the top 10 finished (complete stage standings here):
| Pos. | Name | Country | Team | Time | d |
| 1 | Thomas De Gendt | BEL | VCD | 6:54:41 | 0:00 |
| 2 | Damiano Cunego | ITA | LAM | 6:55:37 | 0:56 |
| 3 | Mikel Nieve Ituralde | ESP | EUS | 6:57:31 | 2:50 |
| 4 | Joaquim Rodriguez | ESP | KAT | 6:58:03 | 3:22 |
| 5 | Michele Scarponi | ITA | LAM | 6:58:15 | 3:34 |
| 6 | Ryder Hesjedal | CAN | GRM | 6:58:17 | 3:36 |
| 7 | John Gadret | FRA | ALM | 6:59:10 | 4:29 |
| 8 | Rigoberto Uran Uran | COL | SKY | 6:59:34 | 4:53 |
| 9 | Sergio Luis Henao Montoya | COL | SKY | 6:59:36 | 4:55 |
| 10 | Ivan Basso | ITA | LIQ | 6:59:36 | 4:55 |
For more on the 2012 Giro d'Italia, stick with SB Nation Denver and visit cycling blog Podium Cafe.
