FANO, Italy (AP) — Two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe won the hilly 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday with a solo breakaway, while Tadej Pogacar finished safely in the main pack to retain the pink jersey.

It was Alaphilippe’s first victory in the Giro, to go with his six stage wins at the Tour de France and one at the Spanish Vuelta — plus his back-to-back world titles in 2020 and 2021.

“I hadn’t planned on a 125-kilometer breakaway,” Alaphilippe said. “It’s a splendid victory after a rough period.”

Alaphilippe clocked slight more than 4 hours over the 193-kilometer (120-mile) route from Martinsicuro to Fano, which started flat along the coast but then cut inland for four fourth-category climbs.

Jhonatan Narvaez edged Quinten Hermans in a two-man sprint for second, 31 seconds behind Alaphilippe.

Pogacar and the peloton finished more than 5 minutes back.