Astana’s Vincenzo Nibali wins dramatic 99th Giro d’Italia
Italian clinches his second triumph following crash of key rival, Steven Kruijswijk, and organisers stripping Giacomo Nizzolo of stage victory
Astana’s Vincenzo Nibali secured his second Giro d’Italia triumph on Sunday after topping a dramatic 99th edition that saw key rival Steven Kruijswijk agonisingly crash during the final stages.
Germany’s Nikias Arndt, of the Giant team, celebrated winning the final stage into Turin although it came only after Giacomo Nizzolo, of the Trek team, was stripped of the victory by race judges who ruled the Italian had hampered other riders by deviating from his sprint line.
Nibali, who won the race for the first time in 2013, becomes the 69th Italian in 99 editions to win the race for the pink jersey and celebrated by riding into Turin on a metallic-pink bike surrounded by his Astana teammates.
“It’s an amazing feeling to ride into Turin with all my teammates like this,” said Nibali. “It’s really indescribable.”
Nibali finished the race with a 52 second lead on Colombian Esteban Chaves (Orica), with Spanish veteran Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) completing the podium at 1 minute 17 seconds behind on his maiden participation at 36 years old.