Pogacar all but wins Giro d'Italia on debut with another stunning stage victory

BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, Italy (AP) — Twenty down, one to go.

Two-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar all but secured the Giro d’Italia on Saturday on his debut in the Italian grand tour.

He has only Sunday’s mainly ceremonial ride in Rome to confirm the triumph.

The two-time Tour de France champion has done it in style.

Pocagar once again destroyed his rivals in the mountains to claim a sixth stage win out of 20 and extend his already considerable advantage to nearly 10 minutes.

The UAE Team Emirates rider was all smiles as he soloed to victory, following an attack on Monte Grappa. He sat up, waved to the crowds as they roared him on, stretched out his arms and bowed as he crossed the line.

Pogacar finished the 184-kilometer (114-mile) leg from Alpago to Bassano del Grappa 2 minutes, 7 seconds ahead of Valentin Paret-Peintre and Daniel Martinez.

That saw him extend his overall winning advantage to 9:56 over Martinez and 10:24 over third-placed Geraint Thomas.

Pogacar raised his pink bicycle above his head in celebration.

In all reality, the job was finished about a week ago, so dominant has Pogacar been in his first Giro.

The race will transfer to Rome for the largely processional 125-kilometer (78-mile) final leg through the streets of the capital, ending near the Colosseum.

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AP cycling: https://apnews.com/hub/cycling

The Associated Press