Hello and welcome to live coverage of stage 12 of the Giro d'Italia - a 190km largely flat schlep from Imola to Monte Berico near Vicenza. A series of small climbs in the final third provide a sting in the tail to what is otherwise a pan-flat affair.

It was actually three bonus seconds for Contador, which puts him 17 seconds clear of Aru in the overall standings today.

Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) was third place - both he and Contador 3 seconds down on Gilbert. The likes of Porte and Uran finished at 6 seconds, Aru a bit further back at 11 seconds.

Alberto Contador takes second place to pick up a six-second time bonus. With Aru finishing a few second back, he should be a dozen or so seconds clear at the top tonight...

VICTORY FOR PHILIPPE GILBERT OF BMC!

Kangert grits his teeth... but he's going to be caught by Gilbert!

It's been the veteran Pellizotti holding the wheel... but now he's fading... But BMC are also primed behind...

The gap is down to 20 seconds as the leaders start that climb. It's show time... and Kangert attacks under the banner!

Now the BMC train comes to the front - they really want this one for Gilbert. But Kangert and Pellizotti have increased their lead to 30 seconds.... this is very tense and tight.

Benat Intxausti comes to the front of the streamlined pack alongside a BMC rider and a sea of Astanas. But the two leaders still have 22 seconds.

Still 20 seconds for this leading duo - but you sense it won't be enough with that final climb coming up.

Kangert has caught Pellizotti now. But Gilbert and Izaguirre are about to be caught by the pack.

Today's finish is atop a 1km climb with a gradient of 7% - so idea for that man Gilbert. Provided he has a little headstart...

It's still very wet out there. Both Pellizotti and Kangert have a handful of seconds as Philippe Gilbert of BMC launches an attack. He has Jon Izaguirre in his wheel for Movistar.

One Astana rider has even pinged off the front now - it's what you can do when you have such strength in depth. It's Tanel Kangert.

Less treacherous, this descent. Astana have taken it up on the front as Pellizotti - who has broken away, to no end, in practically every stage with a hill in it - rides with 12 seconds to play with.

Contador is a bit isolated, riding in the middle of an Astana sandwich with two baby blue riders ahead and behind, one being the whiter Aru. Ah, but here's Rogers - or Kreuziger - and he has a man. Aru, though, has two more - increasing his tally to six. So strong, Astana, so strong...

Andrey Amador of Movistar ups the tempo, and Contador then puts in an acceleration. Astana react, Kruijswijk is caught and the pack go over the top. They trail lone leader Franco Pellizotti by 15 seconds now.

Two chasing groups have joined the maglia rosa group so we have about 50 riders now together trailing Pellizotti. And Steven Kruijswijk breaks clear in pursuit. The LottoNL-Jumbo climber has been very active in this year's Giro.

Mick '400 Watts' Rogers back on the front for Alberto Contador in this first group. There are numerous groups on the road - it's really fractured out there. The maglia rosa group is about 20-strong and is trailed by a second group about to make contact. Pellizotti has 20 seconds to play with.

The FDJ rider out ahead was Alexandre Geniez. But now the lone leader is veteran Italian Franco Pellizotti, who has just started the next climb - an short unclassified one. Behind him, a larger pack has formed around the group of race favourites.