Welcome to live coverage of the stage 12 of the Giro d'Italia, a hilly 155km ride from Seravezza to Sestri Levante. Four categorised climbs will no doubt be conducive to a breakaway and may shake things up at the top of the overall standings.

Thanks for joining us today - and be sure to return tomorrow for another hilly stage ahead of the Alps.

Yes, Rodriguez maintains his 17 second lead over Hesjedal, with Casar moving up to third in the GC, 26 seconds back.

The peloton crosses the finish line 3:34 in arrears, which means Joaquim Rodriguez of Katusha will stay in pink.

It won't be enough - the peloton are powering into the final kilometre only 2:20 down.

Sandy Casar just manages to hold off Andrey Amador for second place and some vital bonus seconds. Will it be enough?

Lars Bak is all smiles as he coasts to the line, zips up his shirt, kisses to the crowd and takes the win.

Bak caught them sleeping and will surely take the win.

Bak edges round a tight bend and passes the one-to-go banner. The big Dane is looking good for the win.

They're letting Bak go clear!

Cat and mouse here as Lars Bak makes a move! And opens a small gap.

Now Santaromita goes! Casar responds - he has to. It's back as one. The peloton is now four minutes back, unconcerned.

Jackson Rodriguez catches and passes the leaders! That was cheeky. But the Androni man is pulled back in. They start the waiting game now as they approach the finish town of Sestri Levante.

The leaders have 3:50 on the peloton. Remember, there are bonus seconds at the end - so that could affect the destination of the pink jersey. Both Casar (+4:01) and Santaromita (+4:16) are in with a shout.

Bak, Bakelants and Txurruka have rejoined Casar, Santaromita and Amador. Jackson Rodriguez is almost there, but Keizer and Golas are out of the equation it seems. Amador has a pop at breaking clear but is reeled in. This is very exciting.

Liquigas don't allow Tiralongo to get away and the three are reeled back in. The peloton crosses the summit 3:47 down on the leaders, who are well onto the descent. So, Casar may not be in pink tonight after all. The leading group is coming back together on this downhill so we should get a pretty exciting finish.

Tiralongo and Cunego have a small gap on the pack, with a Rabobank in pursuit. It's the youngster Tom Slagter. But they're not making much ground over the pack.

ATTACK: Astana's Paolo Tiralongo jumps clear of the peloton, and is checked by Lampre's Damiano Cunego. Tiralongo is third in the GC, 32 seconds down on Rodriguez.

Amador attacks! The Costa Rican takes the points over the summit, with Santaromita and Casar crossing the line a few seconds back in second and third. Hang on, that was not the summit - it was a banner. In fact, it's Casar who takes the points ahead of Santaromita and Amador when the real summit does come a bit later. They will begin the descent as a trio out ahead.

Golas has been dropped by the others, but the Pole manages to fight back on after the pace drops. Casar still leads Santaromita on the front. Keizer even manages to get back in touch as Txurruka and then Bak have a pop. Back in the bunch, it's still Liquigas and Lampre. Remember, Casar is 4:01 on Rodriguez in the GC. The gap back to the bunch is now 4:25.

Now Casar leads the chase. Golas is smiling it seems, but he's about to be caught by the chasers. The Frenchman puts in a big dig and Keizer is the first to be dropped, clearly feeling the after effects of being involved in multiple breaks this past week. Golas is caught and Casar puts in another attack!