BRESCIA, Italy (AP) — Vincenzo Nibali coasted to the Giro d’Italia title in the final stage of the three-week classic Sunday, while Mark Cavendish won the 21st leg in a sprint finish for his fifth victory in this year’s race.
For Nibali, an Italian with the Astana team, the title cemented his status in an elite group of current riders considered capable of winning Grand Tours, along with Alberto Contador, Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins.
Nibali took the overall leader’s pink jersey after the seventh stage, never gave it up, and padded his lead by winning the final two mountain stages in dominating fashion.
Rigoberto Uran of Colombia finished second overall and Cadel Evans of Australia, the 2011 Tour de France winner, was third, 4:43 and 5:52 behind Nibali, respectively.
