Gustav Erik Larsson (Saxo Bank) blitzed around the 15km Verona time trial course in 20’19” to take the final stage of this year’s Giro d’Italia. The Swede beat Italian champion Marco Pinotti (HTC-Columbia) by just 2 seconds, after Pinotti had been ahead at the first checkpoint. Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) took third place, 17 seconds behind Larsson.
The race took place on the same circuit as the 1999 and 2004 World Championships road race, but run in the opposite direction. After climbing and descending the Torricelli climb, riders would return to the centre of Verona to finish on the cobbled Piazza Bra. Having crossed the finish line, riders would then ceremonially enter the Roman Arena to officially finish the race.
The early standard was set by Australian time trial champion Cameron Meyer; only the third rider to start, the multiple track World champion finished in a time of 20’51”. The time was to stand for almost half an hour until Lithuanian time trial champion Ignatas Konovalovas (Cervélo TestTeam) went 9 seconds faster, lowering it to 20’42”.
Having cruised to the finish of his last ever mountain stage yesterday, to the applause of his adoring tifosi, Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Farnese Vini) had one last turn before his retirement at the end of this Giro. The 2-time winner appeared to be wearing a white collar and pink tie under his blue and fuscia skinsuit; after crossing the line he stopped to remove his aero helmet and skinsuit to reveal a black Lampre jersey and shorts, put on a black helmet and rode into the Arena as if dressed in a fine Italian suit.
Not long after Simoni’s final ‘Arrivederci” Larsson blasted his way across the final cobbled area. He was baulked slightly as he passed his two-minute man Volodymir Gustov (Cervélo TestTeam) but managed to take a further 23 seconds off the fastest time.
Twenty minutes behind Larsson, Bradley Wiggins was on his way; after winning the stage 1 time trial in Amsterdam, and having saved himself by finishing in the grupetto all week, the British time trial champion was the favourite for today’s stage. Wiggins was 8 seconds slower than Larsson at the top of the Torricelle though, and faded on the descent to finish 29 seconds back.
Having been aggressive in a number of stages, Vladimir Karpets (Katusha) provided one last moment of drama in the race. After crossing the bridge over the river Adige with 1km to go, the Russian overcooked a right angle bend and was forced to skid to a halt or hit the barriers. He put one foot down, pointed his bike in the direction of the course and carried on.
The next dramatic scenes were provided by Pinotti, who crossed the top of the Torricelli 12 seconds faster than Larsson. The Italian time trial champion took considerably fewer risks on the twisting descent than the Swede though; by the time he reached the finish he had lost 14 seconds and finished in second place.
Barring accident, Ivan Basso (Liquigas-Doimo) already had the race won, and over David Arroyo (Caisse d’Epargne) was safely in second. The third step on the podium was far from decided though, with Basso’s teammate Vincenzo Nibali just 1 second ahead of Michele Scarponi (Androni Giocattoli) and Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) just 50 seconds further back.
Despite finishing just 22 seconds slower than Larsson though, Evans was not able to go fast enough to challenge and the race was left to the two Italians.
On the climb to Torricelle Scarponi appeared to have the upper hand, but Nibali managed to pull back some time; Scarponi crossed the summit just 19 seconds slower than Pinotti had and Nibali followed at 20 seconds, meaning that the two of them were now equal on time with just the descent to the finish to come.
Nibali though has shown throughout the race that he is one of the most fearless riders in the peloton. Despite Scarponi’s better than expected time, Nibali went even faster to take fifth in the standings and secure his third place overall.
Having tired throughout the last week in the mountains, Arroyo could only managed 21’37”, but his cushion over Nibali was enough for him to hold onto second place. Basso put in a fast ride, but took no risks, to finish in 21’01”, 42 seconds behind Larsson but good enough to secure his second Giro d’Italia victory.
Australian Richie Porte (Saxo Bank), who led the race after the crazy stage to L’Aquila held on to finish in 11th place and win the white jersey for best under-25 rider. His stage victory in Montalcino and high placings in the mountains, not to mention the withdrawal of virtually all the sprinters, earned World champion Cadel Evans the red jersey for the points classification.
Having kept the green jersey warm for Basso, a big points haul as part of yesterday’s breakaway won the mountains competition outright for Matthew Lloyd (OmegaPharma-Lotto).
Giro d'Italia stage 21 results:
1. Gustav Erik Larsson (Swe) Saxo Bank
2. Marco Pinotti (Ita) HTC-Columbia @ 2s
3. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana @ 17s
4. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team @ 22s
5. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo @ 23s
6. Ignatas Konovalovas (Ltu) Cervélo TestTeam @ 23s
7. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Team Sky @ 29s
8. Cameron Meyer (Aus) Garmin-Transitions @ 32s
9. Michele Scarponi (Ita) Androni Giocattoli @ 35s
10. Tom Stamsnijder (Ned) Rabobank @ 37s
2010 Giro d'Italia final overall standings:
1. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo
2. David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne @ 1’51”
3. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo @ 2’37”
4. Michele Scarponi (Ita) Androni Giocattoli @ 2’50”
5. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team @ 3’27”
Points classification (Red jersey): Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
Mountains classification (Green jersey): Matthew Lloyd (Aus) OmegaPharma-Lotto
Young Rider classification (White jersey) Richie Porte (Aus) Saxo Bank