RACE REPORTS: GIRO D'ITALIA STAGE 21: REDEMPTION FOR BASSO

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RACE REPORTS: GIRO D'ITALIA STAGE 21: REDEMPTION FOR BASSO
Road Bike Action & AFP
May 30, 2010

(Photo: Yuzuru Sunada)

Italian Ivan Basso (Liguigas) claimed his second Giro d'Italia title as Swede Gustav Erik Larsson (Saxo Bank) won the 21st and final stage of this years race, a 15km time trial around Verona. Surprise package Spaniard David Arroyo comfortably held onto second place in the overall standings while Basso's Liquigas teammate Vincenzo Nibali edged out Italian compatriot Michele Scarponi for the final place on the podium. But the day belonged to Basso who came home 15th fastest on the day but still earned his second win in his home Tour following his success in 2006.

"I'm delighted, it was a really tough Giro. This victory is something fantastic, it was a spectacular Giro that was tense right to the end," said the jubilant winner.

The victory completed a remarkable turnaround for Basso who was banned for two years in 2006 for his involvement in the Operation Puerto scandal. He finished 1min 51-seconds ahead of Arroyo who had so thrilled fans with his valiant attempts to hold onto the leader's pink jersey in the mountains. Following the last two grueling days in the mountains it was little surprise that the top riders were not involved in the battle for the stage victory.

Saxo Bank's Larsson posted the fastest time of 20:19 on the course, just two seconds quicker than Italian time trial champions Marco Pinotti, who had led by 12-seconds at the one and only time check. Veteran Kazakh Alexander Vinokourov - another to have served a doping ban - put in a good effort to finish third on the day, 17-seconds down, to leapfrog Australia's Richie Porte and take sixth place overall from the winner of the Young Rider's competition.

The main interest for the day was the battle for third place as Nibali started one second ahead of Scarponi. They reached the time check at the end of the Torricelle climb neck and neck but Nibali is known to be a better descender. And so it proved as he came to the line 12-seconds quicker than Scarponi managed to complete an excellent Tour. Fifth place went to Australian world road race champion Cadel Evans who had an outside chance of a podium finish at the start of the day but simply could not make up enough time on the two Italians ahead of him.

Giro d Italia: Stage 21: Verona - Verona (ITT) 15km
1. Gustav Erik Larsson (Swe/Saxo Bank) @ 20:19
2. Marco Pinotti (Ita/HTC-Columbia) @ .02
3. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz/Astana) @ .17
4. Cadel Evans (Aus/BMC) @ .22
5. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Liquigas-Doimo) @ .23
6. Ignatas Konovalovas (Ltu/Cervelo)
7. Bradley Wiggins (GBr/Sky) @ .29
8. Cameron Meyer (Aus/Garmin-Transitions) @ .32
9. Michele Scarponi (Ita/Androni Giocattoli) @ .35
10. Tom Stamsnijder (Ned/Rabobank) @ .37

Final General Classification
1. Ivan Basso (Ita/Liquigas-Doimo) 87:44:01
2. David Arroyo Duran (Spa/Caisse d'Epargne) @ 1:51
3. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Liquigas-Doimo) @ 2:37
4. Michele Scarponi (Ita/Androni Giocattoli) @ 2:50
5. Cadel Evans (Aus/BMC) @ 3:27
6. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz/Astana) @ 7:06
7. Richie Porte (Aus/Saxo Bank) @ 7:22
8. Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa/Cervelo) @ 9:39
9. Marco Pinotti (Ita/HTC-Columbia) @ 14:20
10. Robert Kiserlovski (Cro/Liquigas-Doimo) @ 14:51

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