Filippo Pozzato became the first Italian rider to win a successful breakaway in the 2010 Giro d'Italia earlier today as the sun finally shone and tempers boiled over.

The Team Katusha rider and Italian national champion just edged out Thomas Voeckler in a thrilling sprint finish on stage 12 with Australian Richie Porte hanging on to the leader's pink jersey for Saxo Bank.

Driving rain on Wednesday led to a huge turnaround in the overall placings with Porte taking charge and previous leader Alexander Vinokourov sliding down the standings after being caught in a slow group as the weather-beaten peloton split.

World champion Cadel Evans (Team BMC Racing), who had been second overall, was also punished by Wednesday's events and his frustration was plain to see in the 206 km uncomplicated stage from Citta Sant'Angelo to Porto Recanati on central Italy's east coast.

The BMC rider argued with other riders about the lack of pace at the front of the pack late on and gesticulated wildly. In one incident late in the stage, Evans and a Lampre rider appeared to throw punches at each other. Watch Evans fight other riders in the Roadcycling.com video section now (US-based readers only).

The stage lead had changed hands numerous times amid an array of breakouts but the main block of riders was never far behind.

However, an exciting climax did ensue with Pozzato timing his burst just right having already had a good look at the finish during an earlier loop through Porto Recanati.

"I'm very happy, it's what we needed. We had to have a stage like this after yesterday," Pozzato told reporters.

"The last week will be spectacular and it won't be over till it's over."

Unheralded Porte's overall lead from Spain's David Arroyo is one minute 42 seconds.

A raft of riders quit the race after Wednesday's extremely tough outing, one of a number of demanding and wet stages already this year, but the pain is not over yet with two big mountain tests due this weekend.

Friday's 13th stage is a 223 km trip from Porto Recanati to Cesenatico.

The three-week race ends in Verona on May 30.

Stay tuned to us here at Roadcycling.com for full 2010 Giro d'Italia coverage including daily video highlights from the race in our Roadcycling.com video section and visit www.universalsports.com/cycling for live video from the Giro d'Italia.

Please support our sponsors and tell your favorite companies to advertise with us. We really need your support here at Roadcycling.com: