Konovalovas Takes Rome, Menchov Italy - Stage 21 Giro d'Italia Centoanni

With their landmark destination, the Colosseum, in the background of the time trial start house, the remaining gladiators of the 100th Giro d'Italia set out on a 14.4km sojourn around the Eternal City to determine a champion.

What many expected to be one final shootout, similar to the finish of the 1989 Tour de France that saw Greg Lemond counting down the seconds as a fatiguing Lauren Fignon barreled toward the line, turned out to be more like water pistol fight as only one of the General Classification contenders finished in the top ten.

Ignatas Konovalovas (Cervelo Test Team) wearing the colors of the Lithuanian Time Trial Champion, would edge out Bradley Wiggins (Garmin - Slipstream) by 1 second and Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Columbia - Highroad) by 7 seconds for victory on the final stage of the 100th Giro d'Italia.


Despite a crash in the final kilometers, Denis Menchov (Rabobank) would take tenth on the day and the final maglia rosa as the 2009 Giro d'Italia Champion. It is the Russian's third Grand Tour title, having won the Vuelta a Espana in 2005 and 2007.

Results
1. Ignatas Konovalovas (Ltu) Cervelo Test Team
2. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream
3. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Team Columbia - Highroad


Final General Classification Standings
1. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
2. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
3. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
4. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team
5. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
7. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo
8. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
9. Tadej Valjavec (Slo) AG2R La Mondiale
10. Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.

Other Notables
12 Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana
19 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.
24 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli
63 Jason McCartney (USA) Team Saxo Bank
78 Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
111 Ted King (USA) Cervelo Test Team
144 Danny Pate (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
152 David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Slipstream

Other Jersey Winners
maglia ciclamino (points) - Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
maglia verde (KOM) - Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo
maglia bianca (best young rider) - Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) Quick Step