Vincenzo Nibali wins Giro d’Italia

Italian Vincenzo Nibali followed up his victory in the 2010 Tour of Spain by winning the Giro d'Italia in Brescia yesterday to claim victory in cycling's second biggest Grand Tour.

The Team Astana rider's win came ahead of Colombian Rigoberto Uran with Australia's Cadel Evans third. Following the withdrawal of 2012 Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins, Nibali built toward victory, stretching his competitors to breaking point in the stage 18 time trial at Polsa. On Saturday's final mountain top stage finish at Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Nibali launched one last attack to stamp his authority and claimed his second stage win.

The 21st and final stage, from Riese Pio X to Brescia, went to Briton Mark Cavendish in a bunch sprint that handed him the red points leader’s jersey.