Cav Completes Hat-Trick! Cavendish Claims Giro Red Jersey after Final Stage Win in Italy
By Daily Mail 27 May 2013
Mark Cavendish sprinted to victory in Brescia to take the red jersey in the Giro d'Italia and become only the fifth-ever rider to win the points classification in all three of cycling's Grand Tours.
The Manxman edged out Sacha Modolo and Elia Viviani to take the red jersey back from overall winner Vincenzo Nibali, who claimed it during his race-defining victory in the mountains on the penultimate stage.
Cavendish, who won the points classification in the 2010 Vuelta a Espana and 2011 Tour de France but finished second by a single point here last year, took both of the intermediate sprints on Sunday's final stage into Brescia, and the Omega Pharma-Quick Step rider then positioned himself perfectly for one final burst to the line at the finish.
Champion:
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Glory: Mark Cavendish won the 21st and last stage of the Giro d'Italia on Sunday
History: Cavendish's became the fifth man to win the points classification in all three Grand Tours
Champion: Italian cyclist Vincenzo Nibali holds his trophy as he celebrates Giro d'Italia victory
Rigoberto Urán: Team Sky's Rigoberto Uran came second
Nibali, who has been the clear class of the field in this year's race after the early exits of Sir Bradley Wiggins and defending champion Ryder Hesjedal, finished the race four minutes 43 seconds ahead of second-placed Rigoberto Uran of Team Sky.
Nibali's epic stage victory amid blizzard conditions yesterday had effectively sealed his place as this year's winner and he was applauded by the crowds all the way along today's flat 197-kilometre run from Riese Pio X to Brescia - an unfamiliar finishing point for an event which usually ends in Milan.
The Sicilian had put considerable time into both Uran and Cadel Evans on Saturday, with the Australian Evans slipping into third place behind Team Sky's Colombian, and there was no change in the overall standings on Sunday.
'I'm very happy,' Nibali said through an interpreter. 'It was such a great crowd and there was a lot of joy for me. It was very emotional, very moving, beautiful.
'The whole team was very strong, they've done a great job and today really is a beautiful day for me.'
It is the high point of Nibali's career to date.
The 28-year-old, known as 'The Shark', won the 2010 Vuelta a Espana but victory in his home Grand Tour will take priority on his resume. His previous best was a second-place finish in the 2011 edition after Alberto Contador was disqualified for doping.
Emotional: Nibali finished almost five minutes clear of nearest challenger Uran
Uran's second place was a considerable achievement for a rider that came here in a supporting role to Wiggins, but quickly took over leadership of Team Sky as last year's Tour de France winner battled illness and ill-fortune before withdrawing a week into the race.
Evans had been the closest to challenging Nibali for the overall crown, but his hopes ended in the mountains on Saturday as mechanical problems gave the kiss of death to his slim chances of closing the gap.
STAGE 21 RESULT
1. Mark Cavendish (Omega) 5:30:09"
2. Sacha Modolo (Bardiani Valvole)
3. Elia Viviani (Cannondale)
4. Giacomo Nizzolo (RadioShack)
5. Luka Mezgec (Argos)
6. Roberto Ferrari (Lampre)
7. Kenny Dehaes (Lotto)
8. Manuel Belletti (AG2R)
9. Giovanni Visconti (Movistar)
10. Luca Paolini (Katusha)
FINAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 84:53:28"
2. Rigoberto Uran (Team Sky) +4:43"
3. Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) +5:52"
4. Michele Scarponi (Lampre) +6:48"
5. Carlos Betancur (AG2R) +7:28"
6. Przemyslaw Niemiec (Lampre) +7:43"
7. Rafal Majka (Saxo - Tinkoff) +8:09"
8. Benat Intxausti (Movistar) +10:26"
9. Mauro Santambrogio (Vini Fantini) +10:32"
10. Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R) +10:59"