By Nick Butler

Nairo Quintana celebrates a maiden Grand Tour victory at the Giro d'Italia ©AFP/Getty ImagesNairo Quintana consolidated his status as the greatest young talent in cycling by securing a maiden Grand Tour victory following the 21st and final stage of the Giro d'Italia, won by Slovenian sprinter Luka Mezgec.


The 24-year-old Colombian showed his climbing pedigree last year when finishing runner-up behind Briton Chris Froome at the Tour de France, before going one better this time around to gain his first Grand Tour victory, with many believing it will be the first of many.

The Movistar rider also becomes the second Colombian to win one of cycling's three Grand Tours, following Luis Herrera, winner of the Vuelta a España in 1987.

This victory was effectively sealed before the final stage, traditionally a 172 kilometre procession from Gemona del Friuli to Trieste, which Quintana safely negotiated in the main bunch.

"It was very difficult to explain how much happiness is inside of me," he said afterwards.

"It's one of the happiest days of my life.

"Thanks to my team and my family."

Nairo Quintana embraces compatriot Rigoberto Urán after their one-two finish in the Giro d'Italia ©AFP/Getty ImagesNairo Quintana embraces compatriot Rigoberto Urán after their one-two finish in the Giro d'Italia ©AFP/Getty Images




Quintana finished 2min 58sec ahead of fellow Colombian Rigoberto Urán, while Italian Fabio Aru ensured some home presence on the podium by finishing third, more than four minutes off the pace.

Although Quintana will not compete in the next Grand Tour, the Tour de France starting on July 5, he is looking forward to recommencing his rivalry with Chris Froome in the 2015 edition next year, rather than prioritising a defence of his Giro d'Italia title.

The Colombian revolution beginning to engulf world cycling was underlined by Julian Arredondo taking the blue jersey after winning the mountain classification.

Despite sprinting to victory in the final stage, Mezgec was unable to win the red jersey for the best sprinter, with France's Nacer Bouhanni, fourth in the final stage, taking that accolade. 

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