Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) stayed out of trouble to win the Giro d’Italia by almost 10 minutes, while Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) took the spoils in the final sprint to deny Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek).
After bagging six wins across an utterly dominant three weeks, the Slovenian displayed his versatility again by popping up in the leadout in the final circuit around Rome to assist team-mate Juan Sebastian Molano’s sprint bid.
But that finale ultimately went the way of Merlier, who proved the strongest in a messy tear-up that saw Lidl-Trek heroically drag Milan back into contention after the Italian was forced into a bike change with 9km remaining.
Pogacar topped the general classification by 9’56” from Dani Martinez (Bora-Hansgrohe), with Britain’s Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) finishing third at 10’24”.
Asked afterwards to name his highlight from the race, Thomas replied that he “felt yesterday was a day to be proud of because I felt so bad. It was just a mental game. I was beating my head against a brick wall at times. I wouldn’t say it was enjoyable. Today is the most enjoyable day.”
Next up for Pogacar is the Tour de France, which begins in Florence on June 29.
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