"I was completely on the limit" - Nico Denz gave everything to take first Grand Tour stage win

Taking the biggest victory of his career, Nico Denz was as delight as he was tired following stage 12 of the Giro d'Italia.

"I really don't know what to say," the 29-year-old German began his post-stage interview taken immediately following his victory. “This means a lot to me, I am certainly proud. I was not actually supposed to be in the break, that task was for Patrick Konrad and Bob Jungels. However, Bob told me he wasn't feeling well and he wanted to save himself."

The BORA - hansgrohe rider attacked and went clear of his breakaway rivals with 90km still to go and after fighting hard to survive the final climb of the day still in contact, Denz was able to out sprint both Toms Skujins and Sebastian Berwick for the victory.

"That's how I ended up in the breakaway. But when I looked around, all I saw was monsters. I wanted to work for Patrick, but suddenly we left because the cooperation was so bad," Denz continued. "I was completely on the limit, but managed to hook up my cart. Before the final I knew I had fast legs, but I'm over the moon with this victory."