The 198-kilometre stage from Ravenna to Verona was expected to finish in a sprint given the route’s flat profile.

The route presented an opportunity for Nizzolo to earn a maiden Grand Tour stage win, with the Qhubeka Assos rider having finished second 11 times on stages at the Giro d’Italia during his career.

Nizzolo sprinted past Edoardo Affini in the closing metres of the race, after the Italian had launched his open late bid for victory.

The reigning Italian and European champion was rewarded for his efforts by earning the stage win in 4 hours 42min 19sec.

Affini finished in second on the same time, with Slovakia’s Peter Sagan placing third.

"Finally I've got a stage victory at the Giro," said Nizzolo, who has twice won the points classification at the race.

"Today I decided to launch a long sprint.

"I chose to risk staying too long in the wind rather than wait for too long behind other riders with the chance of being blocked.

"My choice paid off."

The general classification was unaffected by the result, with Colombia’s Egan Bernal remaining in the race lead.

The Ineos Grenadiers’ rider holds a 45 second advantage over Russia’s Aleksandr Vlasov.

Italy’s Damiano Caruso lies third overall at 1min 12sec down.