Giro d'Italia: Giro d'Italia Stage #21: Tom Dumoulin wins the thriller of Milan

Cycling: Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) has won the 100th Giro d'Italia! In the time trial thriller from Monza to Milan, the Dutchman finished second behind his compatriot and day winner Jos Van Emden (LottoNL-Jumbo). He completed the almost 30 kilometers 84 seconds faster than Nairo Quintana (Movistar). The Colombian lost the Maglia Rosa to Tom Dumoulin. He narrowly defended second place against Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida). Fourth was Thibaut Pinot (FDJ).

The Last Act: A 29,3 kilometer crime thriller

The Giro d'Italia could not have been much more exciting - and right on time for the 100th anniversary of this prestigious tour. On yesterday 20st stage the classification was pushed together even closer. The top four riders were within 53 seconds of the overall standings before the start of the final stage. Today's 29,3-kilometer time trial from Monza to Milan should decide who gets to celebrate on the podium at the end - and who falls off the podium after all. The thriller started in the Motodrom in Monza, where otherwise the Formula 1 cars do their laps. The cyclists were certainly not quite that fast, but on the slightly downhill stretch towards Milan, speeds of over 50 km/h were still achieved.

Bob Jungels wins the junior classification ahead of Adam Yates

At 13:45 p.m., Giuseppe Fonzi (Wilier Triestina-Selle Italia), 162nd overall, left the track. As expected, his time should not play a significant role in the end. Jos Van Emden (LottoNL-Jumbo) put the first target time on the asphalt. With his final time of 33:08, he should not only be the fastest in the finish area temporarily, but also in the two intermediate times. These were checked at km 8,8 and 17,4. It only got exciting when the top 9 in the overall standings gradually rolled out of the starting gate. Between Bob Jungels (Quick-Step Floors) and Adam Yates (Orica Scott) the winner of the junior ranking should be decided. Despite a 28 second lead, Adam Yates still lost the white jersey to Bob Jungels. He was significantly faster today and thus improved in the overall standings from ninth to eighth place.

1st split: Tom Dumoulin sets a scent mark

After 8,8 kilometers the first intermediate time was taken. Although Tom Dumoulin was not able to beat the best time set by his compatriot Jos Van Emden, he was only two seconds slower. He was already 26 seconds ahead of Thibaut Pinot, Vincenzo Nibali 17 seconds and Nairo Quintana even 31 seconds. Virtually, Nairo Quintana was still in the pink jersey, but there was still a long way to go. Meanwhile, Tom Dumoulin has already moved up in the overall standings. It was clear: If the Dutchman can keep up this pace, then victory in the 100th Giro d'Italia is only about him.

2nd split: Tom Dumoulin virtually already in pink!

At the second split after 17,4 kilometers, Tom Dumoulin was six seconds behind Jos Van Emden. That shouldn't have mattered much to him, because only the distances to the three classification drivers in front of him were important. He was able to distance this further compared to the first intermediate time. Pinot was 53 seconds slower, Nibali 37 seconds and Quintana a minute. With that, Tom Dumoulin already took over the Maglia Rosa virtually!

Tom Dumoulin wins the Giro d'Italia - Thibaut Pinot in fourth

At the finish, Tom Dumoulin was 15 seconds slower than Jos Van Emden. So he couldn't deliver a perfect time trial today. The Dutchman probably left too much energy in the mountains. But should this second place be enough for the Giro victory today? He waited anxiously in the target area and stared at the screen. First he saw Thibaut Pinot, whom he managed to outpace at 1:17. So Dumoulin was already assured of a place on the podium. Vincenzo Nibali got 54 seconds from Dumoulin. So Dumoulin was also able to leave the Italian behind. But what about Nairo Quintana? The reported gaps after the second split caused confusion. In the end, however, it was clear! 1:24 Quintana was behind Dumoulin. With that, Dumoulin wins the Giro ahead of Quintana, Nibali and Pinot.

The result of the 21st stage of the 100th Giro d'Italia 2017

The overall standings of the 100th Giro d'Italia 2017 after 21 of 21 stages