UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar wins Giro d'Italia as Merlier takes final stage

Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar blew away his rivals to win the Giro d'Italia on his debut in the race, winning by the biggest overall margin since 1965 after Sunday's final stage in Rome.

"I am speechless, it's hard to describe this moment, it's amazing," said the 25-year-old.

"A lot of nice memories for sure, in a while I will see which one was the best moment but I think in general it was a really beautiful Giro."

The UAE Team Emirates rider had been in the leader's pink jersey since winning Stage 2, the first of his six stage successes, and finished the ceremonial 125-kilometre Stage 21 safely in the bunch as Tim Merlier won the stage.

Merlier (Soudal-Quick-Step) outsprinted Italy's Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) as the Belgian won his third stage. Milan had made his way back to the front for the bunch sprint after crashing on the last lap around the Eternal City.

“It’s a really big win but for myself,” said Merlier. “The first part was easy and then the end full gas, so for me a race like this is a bit special but it’s a really nice victory.

"I have to say sorry to the guys because I couldn’t follow today. So we played a bit of catchup in the end. If I can take the cobbles positioned five or six, I can go from far on the cobbles. I go with my speed. It works. I take the win for the team.”

Milan, winner of three stages, wins the points classification, ahead of Australian Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who finished third in the final stage.

Pogacar finished nine minutes and 56 seconds ahead of Colombia's Daniel Martinez (BORA-Hansgrohe), with last year's runner-up Geraint Thomas of Wales (Ineos Grenadiers) a further 28 seconds behind in third in the overall standings.

He adds the Giro title to his two Tour de France triumphs