Tim Merlier took his third stage win in the 2024 Giro d’Italia, besting Jonathan Milan at the line. Tadej Pogacar led his team-mate Juan Sebastian Molano out with 2km to go but it wasn’t enough to upset the top sprinters.
With ten victories this year, Merlier is second to Pogacar who scored his 14th success of 2024 with the overall classification of the Giro. Dani Martinez and Geraint Thomas rounded out the final podium. Milan won the points classification for the second year running. Pogacar was also crowned King of the Mountains, and Antonio Tiberi took the best young rider award while Julian Alaphilippe was declared the most combative rider and Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale took the teams classification.
The Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the President of RCS MediaGroup Urbano Cairo, and the Director of the Giro d’Italia Mauro Vegni awarded the Trofeo Senza Fine to Tadej Pogacar
Stage 21 Brief Results
- Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) – 125 km in 2h51’50”, av speed 43.646 km/h
- Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) s.t.
- Kaden Groves (Alpecin – Deceuninck) s.t.
Final General Classification
- 1 – Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)
- 2 – Daniel Felipe Martinez (Bora – Hansgrohe) at 9’56”
- 3 – Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) at 10’24”
- Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) at 12’07”
- Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) at 12’49”
Tadej Pogacar, winner of the 2024 Giro d’Italia said: “Over three weeks, we’ve experienced very nice moments, especially with the kids. I always love to share some moments with them. I’ve been happy to see people on the road sides with the jerseys of Pogi team, the children who came and support us. It’s been crazy with all the fans. It’ll take a week to sink in but I’ve felt great emotions, it’s been a fantastic experience. The parcours was super nice and the organisation pretty good. Maybe during this Giro I’ve made a step up as a man too. As a rider, I felt super strong and more comfortable on the bike since a long time. I can improve this feeling. I’m on a good path for the rest of the season. I don’t know when but I’ll come to the Giro again in the future”.
“I am incredibly happy with this victory, it feels great to conclude the race like this,” said Merlier in the post-race press conference. “I didn’t have my best day today, as I came to the start after a day of suffering on the Monte Grappa, but I am delighted I could pull it off. It was very hectic to be in a good position, but I found some space at the right moment and could launch my sprint. I had a lot of confidence, as I loved going full gas on the cobbles, and I was confident in my Specialized SL8. I am happy for myself and for this amazing team that we could end the Giro in style, in this perfect setting that Rome had to offer.”
Final Jersey Awards
The leader jerseys of the Giro d’Italia are produced and designed by CASTELLI.
- Maglia Rosa, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Enel – Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)
- Maglia Ciclamino, leader of the Points Classification, in collaboration with Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale and ITA Italian Trade Agency – Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
- Maglia Azzurra, leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna (KOM), sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)
- Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider, born after 01/01/1999, sponsored by Eataly – Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious)
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