Primoz Roglic is 2023 Giro d’Italia champion, Cavendish takes emotional victory into Rome

Derek Gee delivers second-greatest Canadian Giro performance

Rob Sturney May 28, 2023

Primoz Roglic added a pink jersey to his three red Vuelta a Espana kits on Sunday as the 2023 Giro d’Italia concluded in Rome. The Slovenian star’s extraordinary performance on Saturday’s mountain time trial will live on as one of the most gripping GC climaxes to a Giro.

Geraint Thomas’ defeat on Saturday marks the second consecutive Giro that an Ineos rider has lost the pink jersey on the penultimate day. Last year Jai Hindley rode Richard Carapaz off his wheel on the Giro’s final climb to claim overall victory. However, Thomas has been on a Grand Tour podium in two consecutive years.

Jumbo-Visma has now won a Grand Tour five years in a row, the kind of thing Ineos used to be able to claim.

On Sunday’s procession into Rome, there was plenty of time for photos, prosecco, and good-humoured chat before the peloton got down to business one last time. In the inevitable sprint, British champion Mark Cavendish prevailed.

The 2023 Giro d’Italia is the first time the final GC top-10 is comprised of riders of 10 different counties.

In his maiden Grand Tour, Derek Gee wowed the world with four stage runner-up spots and two fourths, while finishing second in both the KOM and points competitions. He came 22nd on GC, Israel-Premier Tech’s best placing. His performance as a Canadian is second only to 2012 pink jersey Ryder Hesjedal’s. The Canadian did take a flyer with less than 5 km to go, but was quickly caught.

Deeereeek! 5 km left!#Giro #GirodItalia pic.twitter.com/R3fTOW57CI

— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 28, 2023