Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers) triumphed at his 4th consecutive Giro d’Italia time trial. Not even a late puncture and bike change could keep the World Champion from the top step of the podium. In truth, it would have been a heck of lot closer, and peut-etre even a second place, if his nearest rival Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck Quick Step) hadn’t completely misjudged a corner to fly off into the barriers!! Egan Bernal (INEOS-Grenadiers) paced it perfectly in pink to take possession of the most beautiful trophy in all of cycling on his debut Giro. Bahrain-Victorious’ Damiano Caruso cruised around to solidify his marvellous second place and Simon Yates (BikeExchange) held on to his third. Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana) stayed in forth, while Dani Martinez (INEOS Grenadiers) and Joao Almeida moved up to finish 5th and 6th respectively.
The stage
All those corners and a section of cobbledyness at the end. Our Luke was right, it was a tester.
Pro cyclists: *ride more than 3,000 kilometers in under 3 weeks*
Grand tour organizers: Let’s make the final kilometers a series of corners just for fun. pic.twitter.com/sC30fAlhqn
— Luke (@LukeTheCycliste) May 30, 2021
I’m not sure anyone expected the chaos and drama.
First: just as Filippo Ganna was cruising at superspeed and surely heading for a stupendous time, he suffers a rear flat and has to have a bike change.
Pit stop, better than a @F1? @GannaFilippo @INEOSGrenadiers #Giro pic.twitter.com/OQlRMzAqiH
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 30, 2021
The team made it happen in smooth timely fashion, but still, precious seconds were lost.
Enter: The TGV of Time Trialling™, the French National Champion and a man gunning for the sliver of a chance Ganna left him. It was close, REALLY CLOSE. Rene Cavagna was taking ALL OF THE RISKS when this happened!! He completely misjudged one of the last corners. Didn’t see it coming and rode straight on into the barriers.
💗Giro 2021 – Stage 2⃣1⃣
⏱️ Senago – Milano ITT @TISSOT📽️ @remicav crash#Giro pic.twitter.com/iH8se6zxtm
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 30, 2021
I shouted “oh, oh, oh, oh!” and my parent shouted out “what’s wrong?!”
I’m watching bike racing, dad, it’s fine. https://t.co/sGXlWdf4L7
— Luke (@LukeTheCycliste) May 30, 2021
You do have to admire the unflappable nature of the woman in the pink jacket. #giro pic.twitter.com/rdpdANPPUU
— Michael Hutchinson (@Doctor_Hutch) May 30, 2021
Ganna’s little hand gesture during that crash was the most Italian thing ever.
— Luke (@LukeTheCycliste) May 30, 2021
For those that missed it – Luke is right
Pippo Ganna uno di noi #Giro104 pic.twitter.com/hX1sGRw4kj
— Ginevra (@ginevragarga) May 30, 2021
A little later on, there appeared to be several riders and many many team cars entering the final corner at the same time. How Astana’s Matteo Sobrero stayed on his bike I don’t know. The near miss must have cost him seconds as he was running into a great finishing position.
Bonkers.. https://t.co/Ll5ZA01AkY
— Chris Carlson (@Kiss_my_Panache) May 30, 2021
What’s the FDJ car doing? And why aren’t the marshalls doing something? Lucky they didn’t crash Sobrero #Giro #Giro104
— Dennis Korsbæk Præst (@DennisPraest) May 30, 2021
Pippo Ganna uno di noi #Giro104 pic.twitter.com/hX1sGRw4kj
— Ginevra (@ginevragarga) May 30, 2021
Last: The final stage of Giro 2021 goes to Filippo Ganna, a beast on the time trial bike, and teammate extraordinaire
.💗Giro 2021 – Stage 2⃣1⃣
⏱️ Senago – Milano ITT @TISSOT🔥 Hot Seat 🔥 @GannaFilippo 🌈 #Giro pic.twitter.com/r8kLVhwGuj
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 30, 2021
As @GannaFilippo goes down the ramp – it's time to reflect on what an incredible team effort it's been during this #Giro.
The Gannadier has once again been a star no matter the terrain. Storming to stage one victory, storming the gravel, storming the climbs. He's been a force! pic.twitter.com/bYpL3Fv24i
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) May 30, 2021
Filippo Ganna averages 53.8km/h with a bike change due to a puncture… what a performance @giroditalia #machine #Giro2021 #bike #cycling pic.twitter.com/eDg9L4l8xU
— Cobble-cc (@CcCobble) May 30, 2021
In praise of the pink
The last three times the Giro d’Italia has finished with a TT in Milan, the race leader had their heart broken. But not today. Today Egan Bernal rode around with all the aplomb of a man destined for Giro greatness. Sure, Damiano Caruso gained some time on him but his lead was never in danger.
I’ve loved his racing. Loved his ferociousness and ruthlessness. I will never forget him on stage 9 when he flew up that gravelled summit finish, when he battled Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck Quick Step) for a couple of seconds at an intermediate sprint. Loved his vulnerability, those moments where his strength wobbled and yet he stayed calm beyond his years as his team rallied and brought him through.
Two pictures stick in my memory. First the sterrata stage with Bernal whizzing along behind a rampant Ganna. If you haven’t read Kathi’s write up, do it NOW.
Second, Dani Martinez shouting him up the final climb on stage 17
Most of all I LOVE his passion and respect for this race.
I want to win the Giro d’Italia.
The words Egan Bernal when he arrived in Italy as a young rider.
You can see it when he races. On his two stage victories, his countless podiums as holder of the race lead and as best young rider. It’s there when he was fighting to defend his lead. The Queen Stage in the mist that we never saw – when he emerged and made sure to take his rain jacket off so he could have his victory with his beloved maglia rosa on show. His absolute awe when he was handed the Amore Infinito, his words post race. No wonder the tifosi adore him.
"Disposto a salire a le stelle"#Giro pic.twitter.com/STROoh4KTe
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 30, 2021
The way Bernal is holding and looking at this trophy with such reverence 🥰 #Giro104
— Laticia Waclawik (@sdbeachgirl9) May 30, 2021
Feeling emotional this weekend after seeing the UK sproggs. Bernal crossing the line brought a tear to my eye. Wonderful.
— John Galloway (@VelocastJohn) May 30, 2021
Bernal goes to his father. Big win, big emotions. #Giro pic.twitter.com/71lFy1MQoe
— daniel (@cyclingreporter) May 30, 2021
🎙️ @Eganbernal: "I can't believe what's happening, I have just won the Giro d'Italia, I really have no words. The Maglia Rosa is special and the Giro is the most beautiful race in the world."
Powered by @eolo_it #Giro pic.twitter.com/AqPhqW5F9c
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 30, 2021
The best surprise
In a Giro that has thrown up many surprises, perhaps the best on all is to see Damiano Caruso take a podium at his home Grand Tour. The man stepped up when team leader Mikel Landa had to abandon and rode the race of his life. Tip of the hat, Sir!!
🎙️ @CarusoDamiano: "First time, and it is a beautiful emotion. This podium may not have been foreseeable at the start because we had other plans, but day after day the awareness dawned that I might be able to do something big".
Powered by @eolo_it #Giro pic.twitter.com/Dls0MsmhCt
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 30, 2021
The final podium of the Giro. Bernal and Simon Yates were the biggest favourites but I don't think anyone expected to see Damiano Caruso on the 2nd step. After many years of hard work for his team leaders, he had his bit of glory. He did an insane race, well-deserved! #Giro pic.twitter.com/CXaoGD22bZ
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) May 30, 2021
Now I realise who Caruso reminds me of… Scarponi! Both domestiques, both strong enough for GC if needed, same style on the bike and in looks (a little), and both with a dodgy past but popular with the fans#Giro pic.twitter.com/SwSi0UlNZc
— F Λ B R I Z I O (@fabrizioviani) May 30, 2021
An incredible performance by Damiano Caruso across these last three weeks. Arrived at the Giro d'Italia as a domestique and came home with second place. He has done it with class and grace. It's nice to see the underdog succeed. #Giro
— Sadhbh O'Shea (@SadhbhOS) May 30, 2021
All the other jerseys
Points
The points jersey, usually fought over by the fast men. Tim Merlier gave Giro debutantes Alpecin-Fenix a stage winning start. Lotto Soudal’s Caleb Ewan got his arms in the air twice. Fans around the world celebrated when Giacomo Nizzolo (UAE-Team Emirates) finally took his maiden Giro victory after so many podium places. All three wore the beautiful jersey over the course of Giro. But to take it home you have to ride all 21 stages, and that played into Peter Sagan‘s staying power strengths. The BORA-hansgrohe man took a win, a fine for intimidation, and gave us wheelie on a mountain stage for good measure.
.💗Giro 2021 – Stage 2⃣1⃣
⏱️ Senago – Milano ITT @TISSOT💜 @petosagan ✌️#Giro pic.twitter.com/0Q1FQqKjtV
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 30, 2021
📝 REPORT: @petosagan celebrates career first Maglia Ciclamino as BORA-hansgrohe reflect on bittersweet @giroditalia campaign.
Read more here: https://t.co/rrsah1sUwz
📸: Bettini pic.twitter.com/GVoHuYd50d
— BORA – hansgrohe (@BORAhansgrohe) May 30, 2021
All in all, he should be happy and might even have sorted out his future team over the last three weeks (although we learned that would *not* be Deceuninck QuickStep).
King of the Mountains
Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R Citroen) may have been annoyed about missing his chance for a memorable victory on stage 9 into Campo Felici, but I hope the stepping up to be crowned King of the Mountains in Milan tonight will make up for it.
Don't speak me about "gravel" 🤬😤😡 https://t.co/lOcEfOF4Af
— Geoffrey Bouchard (@GeoffBouche) May 16, 2021
The first Frenchman to take this jersey since Laurent Fignon and on his first Giro! Once he took the maglia azzurra he put everything into keeping it. Out in the break day after day to mop up the points on offer. A proper VeloVoices KOM winner.
🎙️ @GeoffBouche: "It’s wonderful to live moments like this. Here, I’m very relaxed and happy. I’m super happy. It’s a classification I’ve dreamed about since I was a child."
Powered by @eolo_it #Giro pic.twitter.com/DXy1oO1ZH8
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 30, 2021
Team Classification goes to INEOS-Grenadiers. However, it wasn’t total domination with both Trek-Segafredo and Team DSM taking the lead in the last seven stages. Movistar didn’t even make the top five – shocker!!!
The Giro and its many prizes
The Intermediate Sprint and Combativity prizes go to Dries de Bondt of Alpecin-Fenix – thhey have had a fabulous three weeks. When the Belgian National Champion wasn’t running lead-outs for Tim Merlier, he was up the road every chance he got. I salute the endeavour.
🇮🇹 #Giro
How did you all enjoy this guy's @giroditalia? 😍
⚔️ Leader in the combativity classification
🌪️ Leader in the intermediate sprint rankings
🇧🇪 You couldn't have missed this jersey in the past weeks! pic.twitter.com/BIFxbRDVYR— Alpecin-Fenix Cycling Team (@AlpecinFenix) May 29, 2021
As I do Simon Pellaud of Androni-Giocattoli Sidermec – Breakaway KING of the Giro d’Italia. For a team that prides itself of being up the road at every possible opportunity, the Swiss man is a dream rider for them. He has spent 998km riding in the break
#Stat 📊 / #Giro104 🇮🇹
998 : c'est le nombre de kilomètres parcourus en échappée par 🇨🇭 Simon Pellaud (ANS). C'est le coureur qui a été le plus de fois à l'avant sur ce Tour d'Italie (x7)Étape 3
Étape 5
Étape 7
Étape 10
Étape 13
Étape 18
Étape 20Chapeau. 🎩
— Renaud Breban (@RenaudB31) May 29, 2021
I'm glad Simon Pellaud had made the break today: in Switzerland, and given his exceptional break-making-rides throughout this #giro Chapeau! #CouchPeloton
— Anna (@annadventures) May 29, 2021
This is what it’s like to fuel up for those breakaway days
Completely ☠️ yesterday on a typical post-breakaway empty body day. Even thought it will be hard for me to reach Milan. Had as much food as I could once at the Bus. I still woke up at 04:00am today HUNGRIER than ever. The best signal. Today was just amazing at home soil 🇨🇭🔥🔥🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/4j1qFhIXIp
— Pellaud Simon (@PellaudSimon) May 29, 2021
Last thoughts
3450km and 47,000m of climbing, spread over two, ITTs, seven big mountain days, six hilly stages, five flat stages and one magnificent gravel stage.
And just like that, it's over. The #Giro104 is over 🥺 #holdme pic.twitter.com/1p6kcHT2Bv
— Katy M, Bike Edition (@writebikerepeat) May 30, 2021
14 teams with a stage win, and some big names with not much to show to show for three weeks of work. I mean, who would have expected Qhubeka Assos to come away with three stage victories?
🇮🇹 #Giro
First grand tour in the bag, and already looking forward to the next one!
Our stage 11 race winner, @mauro_schmid! 🇨🇭#BicyclesChangeLives 🖐 pic.twitter.com/O6etR4i96Y
— Team Qhubeka ASSOS (@QhubekaAssos) May 30, 2021
And Deceuninck QuickStep to leave empty handed. King Kelly gave his thoughts on the wisdom of teams putting their eggs into one basket, and you have to wonder about the Evenepoel versus Almeida decision.
Congrats on a great ride, @JooAlmeida98! pic.twitter.com/feuRitjXMa
— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) May 30, 2021
18 different stage winners, each of them with their own special joy. I can’t go through them all, or even begin to pick one – although my beloved Wanty Gobert Intermarche taking one will ALWAYS make me smile. However, Issie does a fantastic job in this thread. Take the time and relive those special days…
A #Giro Hero Thread
These are people who have made the Giro memorable for me this year – feel free to tell me I'm wrong!
(doing this this evening because I'm out tomorrow, if anyone other than Ganna wins the TT, I may update it xo)
— Issie 💙 (@IssieAtch) May 29, 2021
And just like that, it's over. The #Giro104 is over 🥺 #holdme pic.twitter.com/1p6kcHT2Bv
— Katy M, Bike Edition (@writebikerepeat) May 30, 2021
The final words
Egan Bernal and Filippo Ganna have done more for Ineos’ PR than a professional ever could
— Robyn (@robynjournalist) May 30, 2021
The last time a Giro d'Italia 🇮🇹 time trial wasn't won by Filippo Ganna (Stage 21, 2019):
🇧🇪 Remco Evenepoel hadn't won a professional bike race
🇸🇮 Tadej Pogačar hadn't raced a Grand Tour
🇧🇪 Wout van Aert hadn't won a WorldTour race
📸: @therussellellis pic.twitter.com/VrfiRAHZlj
— The Road Book (@CyclingAlmanack) May 30, 2021
Results
Stage 20 Top 5
1 Filippo Ganna (INEOS -Grenadiers) 33:48
2 Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck Quick Step) +0:12
3 Edoardo Affini (Jumbo -Visma) +0.13
4 Matteo Sobrero (Astana) +0.14
5 Joao Almeida (Deceuninck Quick Step) +0:27
GC Top 10
💗 Giro d'Italia 2021 💗
📊 The full official rankings 👉 https://t.co/iaDu5jSLlH
📊 Tutte le classifiche 👉 https://t.co/iaDu5jSLlH#Giro pic.twitter.com/QfUnS3RLev
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 30, 2021
1 Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) 86:17:28
2 Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious) +1:29
3 Simon Yates (Team BikeExchange) +4.15
4 Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana-Premier Tech) +6:40
5 Daniel Martinez (Ineos Grenadiers) +7:24
6 João Almeida (Deceuninck-QuickStep) +7:24
7 Romain Bardet (Team DSM) +8:05
8 Hugh Carthy (EF Education-Nippo) +8:56
9 Tobias Foss (Jumbo-Visma) +11:44
10 Dan Martin (Israel Start Up Nation) +18:35
All the jerseys
Leader’s jersey Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers)
Points jersey Peter Sagan (BORA-hansgrohe)
King of the Mountains Geoffrey Bouchard (Ag2r Citroen)
Best Young Rider Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers)
For the full race review, go to cyclingnews
Go here for the official Giro website