Nairo Quintana becomes first Colombian to win Giro d’Italia

NAIRO Quintana has become the first Colombian winner of the Giro d’Italia, with nearest Australian Cadel Evans finishing eighth.

Colombia's Nairo Quintana holds her daughter Mariana as he stands on the podium after winning the Giro D'italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, in Trieste, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2014. Nairo Quintana confirmed himself as cycling's next star by winning the Giro d'Italia on Sunday to follow his runner-up finish in last year's Tour de France. The 24-year-old climbing specialist with the Movistar team won two stages and finished with a 3 minute, 7 second advantage over fellow Colombian Rigoberto Uran for his first Grand Tour victory. Italy's Fabio Aru finished third overall, 4:04 back. (AP Photo/MArco Alpozzi)

NAIRO Quintana has become the first Colombian winner of the Giro d’Italia as Slovenian Luka Mezgec won the 21st and final stage.

Movistar’s Quintana, who was second at last year’s Tour de France, headed a Colombian one-two with Rigoberto Uran finishing second and 23-year-old Italian Fabio Aru, the revelation of the race, third.

Australia’s Cadel Evans finished eighth in the overall standings, 11 minutes, 21 seconds minutes off Quintana.

Quintana, widely regarded as the best climber in the world, totally dominated the final week of the race having initially seemed out of sorts in the first couple of weeks when first Evans and then Uran, who was also second last year, took the race by the scruff of the neck.

But Quintana made his move on Tuesday, winning the 16th stage and taking the pink jersey from Uran.

Three days later he extended his lead and consolidated the feeling it was his tour to win when he triumphed in the 19th stage mountain time-trial.

Quintana kisses the trophy. Picture: Marco Alpozzi

Quintana, who will miss July’s Tour de France as Movistar pin their hopes on veteran Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, said the result proves he will be the man to back for the 2015 Grand Boucle.

“In this Giro I’ve learnt to overcome adversity and to manage a team over three weeks, to be a leader,” he said.

Mezgec of Giant-Shimano, beat Italian Giacomo Nizzolo and Tyler Farrar of the USA in the sprint finish at the end of Sunday’s 172km stage from Gemona to Trieste.

The mostly flat final stage was always going to be about a bunch sprint finish despite a brave breakaway from Canada’s Svein Tuft and Dane Lars Bak that lasted about 35km but was hauled in before the final 10km.

Thereafter the sprinters’ teams controlled the pace of the peloton to ensure it ended in a bunch scramble.

Nizzolo’s Trek team controlled the last couple of kilometres but when it came down to it, Mezgec had the stronger legs.