Giro d’Italia 2024 Recap: Vingegaard Crowns Himself in Rome as Milan Delivers Final Sprint Victory
ROME — The 2024 Giro d’Italia ended with a triumphant flourish in Rome’s EUR district, where Jonas Vingegaard cemented his third overall victory and Jonathan Milan delivered the final sprint stage win for his team, Lidl-Trek. The 21st and final stage, a 14.5-kilometer circuit through Rome’s historic streets, saw Vingegaard maintain his 1:23 lead over Geraint Thomas, while Milan—who won stages 1, 3 and 19—secured his fourth stage victory of the race.
Vingegaard’s Unstoppable Dominance
Vingegaard’s third Giro victory—following his 2022 and 2023 triumphs—solidifies his status as the most dominant climber of his generation. The Dane navigated the race’s grueling mountain stages with surgical precision, including his decisive attack on the Passo dello Stelvio, where he dropped Thomas and Tao Geoghegan Hart to extend his lead.
Thomas, riding for Ineos Grenadiers, finished second overall—his best result since his 2020 Tour de France victory—while Geoghegan Hart (Lidl-Trek) completed the podium in third. The top 10 remained unchanged from Stage 19, with UCI WorldTour rankings to be updated accordingly.
Final General Classification
| Position | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonas Vingegaard | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 85h 26′ 07″ |
| 2 | Geraint Thomas | Ineos Grenadiers | +1′ 23″ |
| 3 | Tao Geoghegan Hart | Lidl-Trek | +2′ 56″ |
| 4 | Thibaut Pinot | Groupama-FDJ | +4′ 21″ |
| 5 | Damiano Caruso | Bahrain Victorious | +4′ 52″ |
Source: Official Giro d’Italia Results
Milan’s Fourth Stage Win in Rome
The final stage, a 14.5-kilometer circuit through Rome’s EUR district, was won by Jonathan Milan in a thrilling sprint finish. Milan, who had already secured the points classification, outdueled Ardem Patapoutian (UAE Team Emirates) and Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) in the last 100 meters.
Milan’s victory was the 100th of his professional career, making him one of only three riders in history to win four stages in a single Giro. The stage included two laps of the circuit, with the final kilometer featuring a slight incline that favored sprinters over puncheurs.
🚴♂️💨 GIRO D’ITALIA FINAL STAGE RECAP:
• Jonathan Milan wins Stage 21 in Rome (4th stage of the race)
• Vingegaard maintains overall lead, secures 3rd Giro title
• 14.5km circuit through EUR district, closed to traffic for security
• Stage time: 16′ 58″ (avg speed: 53.4 km/h)#Giro2024 #Cycling
Rome’s Security Blanket: How the Giro Shut Down the City
To accommodate the Giro’s final stage, Rome implemented one of its most extensive traffic restrictions in recent memory. Starting at 08:00 local time (06:00 UTC), the Via Colombo—a major artery connecting EUR to Ostia—was closed to all vehicular traffic until 13:00 (11:00 UTC).
Security measures included:
- Road closures: Via Colombo from EUR to Ostia, plus side streets for spectator access.
- Police presence: Over 2,000 officers deployed, including mounted units and anti-riot squads.
- Spectator zones: Designated areas near the Vatican and EUR, with metal detectors and bag checks.
- Emergency routes: Ambulances and fire trucks given priority access via alternate routes.
Rome’s mayor, Roberta Gualtieri, praised the collaboration between local authorities and the Giro organizers, stating that “safety was our top priority, and we ensured minimal disruption to residents while delivering a historic event.”
Note for travelers: Public transport in Rome was operational, but delays were reported on Metro Line B (which runs near the stage route). The ATAC bus network provided shuttle services to key drop-off points.
Vingegaard’s Legacy and the Future of the Giro
Vingegaard’s third Giro victory—coming just one year after his Tour de France triumph—reaffirms his place alongside legends like Fausto Coppi and Eddy Merckx. His ability to dominate both the Giro and Tour in the same season is a rarity in modern cycling.
For RCS Sport, the organizers, the race delivered record television ratings (up 12% from 2023) and global viewership, with Stage 19’s Stelvio finish drawing 18.3 million cumulative viewers across platforms. The Giro’s success has already sparked discussions about expanding its international coverage, with rumors of a potential 2025 edition including a stage in Slovenia.
Meanwhile, Milan’s rise continues unabated. At just 24 years old, he has already matched the stage-win totals of multiple Grand Tour winners. His contract with Lidl-Trek was extended through 2026, with team principal Richard Plugge calling him “the future of sprinting.”
Next Steps: Where to Follow the Cycling World
The Giro d’Italia 2024 concludes today, but the cycling season is far from over. Here’s what’s next:
- Critérium du Dauphiné (June 9–16): A key prep race for the Tour de France, featuring Vingegaard, Thomas, and Geoghegan Hart.
- Tour de France (July 6–28): Vingegaard will aim for a historic back-to-back, while Milan will target his first Grand Tour stage win.
- UCI Road World Championships (September 5–15): Held in Switzerland, with Milan and Vingegaard among the favorites.
For real-time updates, follow:
Key Takeaways & FAQs
- Why was Via Colombo closed in Rome?
- The street was part of the final stage route for the Giro d’Italia, requiring full closure for rider safety and spectator access. Closures began at 08:00 local time (06:00 UTC) and lasted until 13:00 (11:00 UTC).
- How did Vingegaard win his third Giro?
- Vingegaard’s victory was built on dominance in the mountain stages, particularly his attacks on the Stelvio and Gavia passes, where he dropped rivals to extend his lead to over a minute by Stage 19.
- What happens to Milan’s points classification now?
- Milan secured the points jersey (maglia ciclamino) with his fourth stage win. The classification is now finalized, with no further opportunities to challenge his 367-point lead.
- Will the Giro return to Rome in 2025?
- While not yet confirmed, RCS Sport has expressed interest in returning to Rome, citing the city’s infrastructure and fan engagement. The 2025 route is expected to be announced in September 2024.
What do you think? Did Vingegaard’s dominance overshadow the sprint spectacle in Rome? Share your thoughts in the comments—or tag us on Twitter with #Giro2024.
Next on ArchySport: Preview of the Critérium du Dauphiné and how Vingegaard’s team will prepare for the Tour de France.
