Pozzato wins 12th stage of the Giro

Filippo Pozzato became the first Italian to win a stage at the 2010 Giro d'Italia after taking the 12th stage in a sprint finish Thursday.

The Italian national champion squeezed across the line ahead of French duo Thomas Voeckler in second and Jerome Pineau in third.

"I knew I had to attack and I trusted my legs," Pozzato said. "It is a dream to be the first Italian to win a stage at the Giro this year and of course I'm happy. I hope I'm not the only Italian to win a stage and I expect my fellow Italians to start winning stages now."

Pozzato finished the 206-kilometers (128-mile) stage from Citta Sant'Angelo to Porto Recanati in 5 hours, 15 minutes, 50 seconds.

Rick Flens made the first attack, breaking from the lead pack after 9 kilometers. Yuriy Krivstov and Olivier Kaisen then joined him at the front after 18K and the three kept their distance from the chasing group until being caught in the closing stages.

Michele Scarponi led Alexandre Vinokourov over the final kilometer, before Pozzato broke out of a group of six riders to take the win.

Richie Porte of Australia kept the pink jersey as overall leader, remaining 1 minute, 42 seconds ahead of David Arroyo Duran in second.

"It was great today, it was a beautiful day," Porte said. "Riding in the pink jersey is tough full stop, but I have a fantastic team and we rode well today."