Giro d'Italia stage 21: Primož Roglič wins overall as Mark Cavendish takes final stage

Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) powered to a fairytale victory on the final day of the Giro d’Italia, his final ever stage at the race.

The Manx Missile announced his intention to retire at the end of the season on the second rest day. That set up the potential for a Hollywood ending for the British rider at the race and he duly delivered, surfing the wheels before sprinting to the win, bike lengths clear of Alex Kirsch (Trek-Segafredo) in second and Filippo Fiorelli (Green Project-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) in third.

The victory was owed in part to Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) who helped to position his former teammate in the final kilometres.

“I’m super happy. It was a long hard slog to get here to the end of the Giro,” Cavendish said after the stage. “We’ve come close a couple of times before but my boys did incredible, and my friends (Geraint Thomas) did incredible. I’m pretty emotional to be fair.

“My first grand tour victory was in 2008 in the Giro. To win here in Rome, it’s beautiful. That’s a bucket list sprint to be able to do, outside the Colosseum. I’m so happy, so happy.”

Meanwhile, after 21 days of captivating and sometimes cagey GC racing, Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) was crowned Giro d’Italia champion after safely navigating the final stage. The Slovenian blew his opposition away in yesterday’s mountain time trial, beating main rival Thomas by 40 seconds to overcome a 26-second deficit and lead the race by 14 seconds.

That lead was never in threat today in what is traditionally a processional stage, with Roglič getting the chance to saviour his first Giro d’Italia overall win, adding to his three previous grand tour victories at the Vuelta a España.

Thomas finished second with João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) taking a well-deserved podium in third having previously finished fourth at the race.