Gladiators in Rome: Merlier wins final Giro stage on the cobbles, Milan second after fierce pursuit

Tim Merlier has won the final stage of the 2024 Giro d'Italia in Rome. The Soudal Quick-Step rider came out on top in the sprint following the ceremonial criterium in the Italian capital. The pink leader's jersey of Tadej Pogacar was, of course, at no point threatened, resulting in him being declared the overall winner.

After transferring from Bassano del Grappa, where Saturday's stage concluded, the riders were allowed a lazy morning. The start of the final stage in Rome was not until 3:40 PM, meaning the Giro was prominently featured on television in the early evening.

During the initial hours of the race, the course moved from Rome to the sea and back, but there was ample time for celebrations. UAE-Team Emirates was donning specially made new pink jerseys for this stage, which were prominently displayed to spectators and TV viewers, with Pogacar as the shining center.

This also included some clinking of champagne glasses, various teams posing for photos, the standard images for the peloton, and ... the rat in Filippo Ganna's pocket. The INEOS Grenadiers rider suddenly had a fluffy animal in his back pocket. Why, you ask? We do not know. Teammate Geraint Thomas, meanwhile, reminded the UAE domestiques that they were driving the pace too hard, which indicated the tempo of this stage.

With the Colosseum in sight, the pace in the peloton picked up for the last eighty kilometers, with Domenico Pozzovivo of VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizané receiving his salute. The Italian climber rode his last Giro kilometers and was the first of the peloton to enter Rome, like a departing gladiator.

Four-rider breakaway sets the pace for two fast racing hours

From that point onwards, serious racing ensued, sparked by an attack by four riders: Alex Baudin (Decathlon AG2R), Mikkel Honoré (EF Education-EasyPost), Ewen Costiou (Arkéa - B&B Hotels) and Martin Marcellusi (VF Group-CSF Faizané-Bardiani) took off, awakening the sprinters' teams. Lidl-Trek and Soudal Quick-Step were quick to act, as had been the case throughout the Giro, positioning a rider at the front.

The breakaway's lead never exceeded half a minute, prompting Tudor and Alpecin-Deceuninck to also assist. These teams ensured everything was kept under control, allowing RAI to beautifully showcase Rome's tourist attractions. Notably, Tim Merlier had a mechanical issue but quickly regained his position.

As the race neared the final fifteen kilometers, the nervousness in the peloton increased, leading to a crash. Dries De Pooter (Intermarché-Wanty) and Hugo Hofstetter (Israel-Premier Tech) were involved, just before the breakaway was caught. Another mishap occurred for top favorite Jonathan Milan, who had an issue with his special purple bike.

The Italian was stalled for about a minute and seemed to almost give up on the day's victory, which was a painful sight for the wearer of the points jersey in this Giro d'Italia. With 4.5 kilometers to go, he rejoined the pack and his team propelled him forward, pulling off a remarkable feat.

Up front, the pace didn't slow, with INEOS Grenadiers and BORA-hansgrohe keeping their leaders at the front. Pogacar, in the pink jersey, positioned himself in front of his sprinter Juan Sebastian Molano, who got to enjoy the most luxurious lead-out in the world on this final day of the Giro.

Pogacar was leading the peloton two kilometers from the finish, with positioning battles happening behind him. With one and a half kilometers to go, Jasper Stuyven catapulted sprinter Milan to the front, allowing him to take a commanding position. Pogacar then launched Molano in Milan's draft.

Belgian Jasper Stuyven pushed ahead until just a few hundred meters from the finish line, when Simone Consonni took over. Tim Merlier, however, launched an early sprint with Milan in his wake. The Italian couldn't overtake the Belgian, who eventually got to claim a magnificent victory on the cobblestones in Rome.

Results stage 21 Giro d'Italia 2024

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