Astana Pro Team rider Vincenzo Nibali is the winner of the 2013 Giro d’Italia.
Nibali finished safely in the peloton on Sunday’s 197km day from Riese Pio X to Brescia, in the same time as stage winner Mark Cavendish of Great Britain. In the General Classification Nibali accumulated a total time over 20 full stages of 84:53:28, 4:43 ahead of second place finisher Rigoberto Uran of Colombia.
“Today has been a day of many emotions. All along 200km of the stage, it was spectacular for the crowds along the road: it was inexplicable, incredible, and a great pleasure for me and all of Italian cycling,” Nibali said.
Nibali thanked his squadmates and the staff at Astana Pro Team after the stage, pointing out Team Manager Giuseppe Martinelli as his great guiding force in preparing for the Giro.
“Martinelli was the one who wanted me to come to Astana this season, and he has supported me with so much this year. I have been able to race and train with maximum support, and as with very little stress. I just try to work well, day after day. And that’s how I rode the Giro: I took it day by day, giving my best, and in the end I have realized my dream,” Nibali said.
Astana Pro Team General Manager Alexandr Vinokurov said Nibali’s victory is certain proof that the sponsorship investment made by the Kazakhstan Cycling Federation is certain to continue bearing fruit in the years to come.
“Nibali worked harder than anybody to prepare for the Giro, and we set out to accomplish this goal together with him when he came on to Astana Pro Team. Today is the end of a long process that began back in December with mechanics and soigneurs and all of our management staff. We sat down, we planned the training and the races, and we reviewed our goals constantly. Thanks to the people at the Kazakh Cycling, starting with Vice President Darkhan Amanovich Kaletaev, and also our sponsor Nurlan Erkebulanovich Smagulov at Astana Motors, we have been able to follow our program and let Vincenzo follow his dream,” Vinokurov said.
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