Richard Carapaz wins the Giro d'Italia, Chad Haga takes closing stage (+ reaction and video highlights)

Richard Carapaz has become the first rider from Ecuador to win one of cycling’s Grand Tours, sealing his overall victory in the 102nd edition of the Giro d’Italia in Verona today. The Movistar rider finished today’s individual time trial in 36th place in a time of 23 minutes 19 seconds, the win going to Team Sunweb’s Chad Haga.

The American rode the 17-kilometre circuit, which started and finished in Verona’s Roman Arena, in a time of 22 minutes 7 seconds.

Two-time Vicenzo Nibali of Bahrain Merida needed to make up 1 minute 54 seconds on Carapaz, but that proved to be out of reach. He managed to take 49 seconds, with the maglia rosa’s eventual margin of victory following today’s stage standing at 1 minute 05 seconds.

There was a big contingent of fans from Ecuador on the streets of Verona as well as in the Arena that played where he completed his triumph – plus millions more watching on TV back in South America, with the country’s president having ensured yesterday that today’s stage would be free-to-air, not on pay-TV.

Primoz Roglic, winner of the two previous individual, finished in 22 minutes 33 seconds, the ninth best time, with his big goal today being to take the 23 seconds from Carapaz’s team-mate Mikel Landa, who had moved onto third place on the podium yesterday.

The Slovenian managed to get back into third place on the General Classification by just 8 seconds as, not for the first time in a Grand Tour, Landa lost a podium spot in a time trial on the final weekend, as happened at the 2017 Tour de France when he was with Team Sky.

Giro d'Italia winner Richard Carapaz

“I want to enjoy this victory with my wife, my kids and speak on the phone with my parents. I’m very proud of what I achieved. I’m delighted to make my dream of winning a Grand Tour come true.

“We must never forget our childhood dreams. They can always become reality with hard work and determination. In my four years in European cycling, I realized that opportunities have to be caught.

“The thirty seconds I gained on stage 15 were fundamental. I profited from Nibali and Roglic watching each other. That’s where the Giro was decided. For me, it’s only the beginning I think. We always dream for more.”

Second placed Vincenzo Nibali

“This morning, I knew it would be extremely difficult to win the Giro d’Italia. But I thought I could do a good time trial. So I gave it all until the end.

“Second at the Giro is still a good result, especially thinking that six months ago, I was down with a big back pain after the crash at the Tour de France. To be back fighting for the overall victory in a Grand Tour is something positive.”

Third placed Primoz Roglic

“It’s super nice to end up on the final podium after the different problems I’ve had. I felt tired today but after I badly suffered from my stomach in the mountains, I didn’t think I’d be competitive in this time trial.”

Stage winner Chad Haga

"It’ll take a bit longer to realize but it’ll come. My victory is of course a consolation price after Tom Dumoulin pulled out. I came in top form but it was a support form.

“During the time trial, I kept thinking this is what [team mate] Tom [Dumoulin] would have been doing today if he was here.

“I thought today I had a real possibility because the course suited me very well and for sure better than the one of stage 9. As an American, I feel very proud of winning a stage at the Giro d’Italia.”

Points Classification winner Pascal Ackermann

“The atmosphere in the arena is fabulous. I have never experienced anything like this before. It makes me feel special about the getting the Cyclamen jersey, which was a childhood dream.

“Coming to the Giro, I was only hoping for a victory but after I won two stages, it looked worth trying to go for the jersey as well.

“But I was very disappointed after my crash. I lost a lot of points but we kept working on getting it back. I wasn’t expecting what I’ve experienced over these three weeks and I’m just happy about everything.”

King of the Mountains Giulio Ciccone

“It’s been a beautiful Giro, even a bit above my expectations. It all started with trying to get it riding the San Luca flat out on day one, and I’ve had the jersey almost all the time, except when my roommate Gianluca Brambilla got it for a day. It was worth fighting every day and getting the Mortirolo stage win as well.”

Best young rider Miguel Angel Lopez

“The result at this Giro is a bit less than what we hoped for but it wasn’t because of bad legs, it’s been because of bad luck. But it’s fine because we’ve battled through and given our best as always. For one year, I’ve been thinking that I can win the Giro one day and I’ll come back for winning it.”