The pan flat, 121km thirteenth stage from Savona to Cervere was always going to be a gift to the sprinters, leaving Mark Cavendish an overwhelming favourite for a third Giro victory in 2012.

Joaquin Rodriguez was feeling in the pink on a day in which he would merely need to stay out of trouble to retain the race lead

Orica-GreenEDGE lined up in support of their sprinter, Matthew Harley Goss

One for the HTC-Highroad ‘friends reunited’ scrapbook as Renshaw, Goss, and Cavendish get close

Different jerseys, same outcome: Cav finishes ahead of his former lead out men

To the victor, the spoils: Cavendish enjoys the rewards of success