Updated at 16.58
TOM DUMOULIN WON the 100th edition of the Giro d’Italia in sensational style on Sunday to make history as the first Dutch winner of the three-week Italian race.
Sunweb team leader Dumoulin went into the final stage, a 29.3 km time trial from Monza race track to Milan’s landmark Duomo cathedral, 53secs behind overnight leader Nairo Quintana of Colombia.
But the 26-year-old Dutchman, who led the race for nine stage before losing the pink jersey to Quintana on stage 19, secured his maiden grand tour victory after a second-place finish behind stage winner, compatriot and close friend Jos van Emden.
Quintana, the 2014 champion who rides for the Movistar team, finished second overall at 31secs behind with Italy’s two-time champion Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain) finishing third at 40.
It means Quintana, a former two-time runner-up at the Tour de France, has failed in his bid — stated before the race start in Alghero, Sardinia — to challenge for a rare Giro-Tour de France double.
Frenchman Thibaut Pinot, who remained in contention for overall victory with a gutsy stage win on Saturday, disappointed in the race against the clock to finish fourth overall at 1min 17sec.
Dumoulin, who finished 17secs behind Van Emden, had to watch nervously as Quintana, wearing the pink jersey and the last to start, completed the final kilometres of his effort into Milan.
But when the calculations showed the Colombian was set to fall short, he jumped for joy.
It’s crazy, I don’t know what to say,” said Dumoulin, who was initially given a taste for the pink jersey when he wore it for the first time in Apeldoorn last year after victory in the opening stage time trial.
“It’s a dream! When I crossed the line people were telling me I’d won, but as I sat here, I was freaking out.
It’s incredible. I couldn’t have imagined this, ever. I was strong, I was lucky and everything fell into the place on this Giro.
“Nairo did an amazing race today.”
After the compliment to Quintana, the Colombian’s Movistar team replied in kind on Twitter, saying: “Best man on the course won. On to the next adventure. #VamosNairo.”
Thanks to a Dutch one-two on the stage finish, Van Emden gave the Netherlands a double reason for celebration when he claimed his maiden grand tour stage win with a sensational ride into the Lombardy capital.
I’m so happy, so emotional,” said Van Emden, who described Dumoulin as a “close friend”.
“I was too many times second and this is a great day for Dutch cycling.
“Tom wins, I win, finally. There are two really happy people inside this tent.”
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Genuinely not having a go, but why not just stay off it, away from it and completely avoid social media. People will always oppose strong opinions and equally strong opposition to those opinions.
@blindside: I think its because he is trying to stay relevant.
@blindside: even if he didn’t have a profile online the abuse would still be there. Obviously he didn’t help himself last week, but every November he gets more than anyone’s share of abuse
@Adrian Carroll: Wrong. Players these days are isolated and they need it. Mich like us now.
@Louis Jacob: *much
@Adrian Carroll: clown
I’m sure he gets fairly bad insults from social media and during matches but certainly don’t help himself wearing balaclavas putting it up on social media either
The abuse he gets from his fellow countrymen is nearly every bit as bad as bad as what he gets across the water. The fella is the first one to put his hand in his pocket whenever there is fundraising for anything, he can never be found wanting for effort each and every time he pulls on a green jersey. While he may have made a mistake last week it in no way justifies the abuse he gets.
@Mel Roberts: my god for once I agree with u
@Mel Roberts: It was a badly misjudged joke on his part. Naive and Stupid. But there’s no doubt he receives way worse online than his joke last week.
Priceless asking McClean to take a cut Even though he’s donated a lot of money in the last month not to mention other causes in the last few years.McCleans not on the same money as the lads at the very top,he won’t be getting that money when he retires and what he does earn now will be taxed heavily.Yes he can live comfortably now but he’s not obliged to take a cut,he’s doing his bit in this crisis.
Let’s be honest here the abuse is vile and wrong but he puts out stuff like last week that brings it on ,I’m not justifying what the trolls have said to him but he should know by now what will be said to him , I have a serious problem with his ability on the pitch and he makes me angry but I dont wish harm on him , ya he gives it 100% every time he plays in green but that’s just him running about like a headless chicken , unfortunately he will still make the squad at the moment but let’s call a spade a spade here , he has in no way lived up to the hype from the start of his career and now never will
If the stories of his donations in the past few weeks are true then fair play to him he is doing more than the owners of alot of clubs and should be commended
OMG , when you are in a massive hole, ffs stop digging.
He is a media gift that just keeps giving.
Has he shit for brains or what. Has he no advisors or does he just not listen to friends or family.
Just play football and shut up trying to justify your stupid actions of posting yourself in a balaclava .
rich people try to buy their way into our hearts with their donations or cover their badness,in any case it should be done and it’s tax efficient for him.
Now he is using reverse psychology that he is the victim and totally innocent.
I suppose through time he will lead us to the ‘ it has effected my family and they are receiving treatment as a result ‘ bit to buy him some sympathy or his sister will LEAK what a good boy he is putting someone up for Christmas .
Don’t make me laugh
Your going to reap just what your sow!
Sticks and stones