Great performance for Joaquim Rodriguez in "Tirreno - Adriatico" last but one stage: ´Purito´ was able to obtain his first victory in this 2012, thanks to a brilliant attack in the last kilometre before the finishing line. The stage was characterized, in his second part by a 16,2 kilometres long circuit in Offida that the group had to run six times: quite a demanding course, with no plain parts. The daily breakaway, an early 7-man escape, was able to reach a highest gap over the group of 5´.

The ahead riders were able to resist the group´s chase until Katusha Team imposed his pace, with 15 kilometres to go. The main group neutralized the breakaway with 6 kilometres to the finishing line: then the lock step group started to lose some elements, due to several attacks. But the crucial blitz was made by Rodriguez: Katusha Team´s Spanish rider took advantage of the huge work of his teammates and anticipated his rush with 1 kilometre to go. The other rider answered to his progression too late: ´Purito´ resisted and took a solo win, defeating Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) and Danilo Di Luca (Acqua&Sapone), respectevely second and third. In general classification, the Katusha Team´s leader is 7th, 50´´ far from the first place; Chris Horner holds the leadership before tomorrow´s last stage, a 9,3-kilometre long ITT in San Benedetto del Tronto. Moreover, Katusha Team confirmed his leadership in the special Team´s Ranking.