Giro d’Italia 2023

Stage 21 – Roma > Roma (135km)

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Giro d’Italia 2023 Stage 21 Profile – Roma > Roma (135km)

Stage 20 Result

1st Primož Roglič (2/1F)

2nd Geraint Thomas (5/2)

3rd Joäo Almeida (11/4)

Stage 20 Bets

Thymen Arensman 1pt each way (3 places) @9/1 – 6th

Chapeau Primož Roglič. Despite dropping his chain on the climb, he smashed the TT and, however cruel it was for Thomas, deserved the win. In the end, it was a GC-dominated time trial so the pick was never in play. To Rome!

Stage 21 Preview

Starting and ending in Rome with a short trip to the coast in between, the final stage of this year’s Giro d’Italia should be one for the sprinters. Once back in the Italian capital, the peloton will take on six laps of a 13.6km circuit on mostly wide, uncomplicated roads, albeit with some city cobbles thrown in.

The final 3km has some fast, sweeping bends with the last corner 700m out, so positioning shouldn’t be a problem – from there, it’s wide and flat to the line. Consistent with the theme of this year’s Giro, there’s a chance of rain, so fingers crossed all the riders get around safely.

Stage 21 Contenders

The big favourite for stage 21 is Bahrain Victorious’ Jonathan Milan. What a performance from the big Italian on grand tour debut. The maglia ciclamino wearer has been full of energy throughout, even pulling on the front on mountain stages and, but for poor positioning, would’ve won more than the one stage into San Salvo. This final isn’t that technical which is in his favour as tight bends aren’t for him and with the power he can put out, Milan should win if he’s anywhere near the front.

With his imminent retirement, this is the final chance for Mark Cavendish to land a 17th Giro d’Italia stage win. Similar to Milan, he’s suffered from poor positioning and lack of leadout. He’s surprised many by getting over the climbs well and shows that his level is good ahead of the Tour de France which is the British champion’s main target before hanging up his cap.

As has been the case over the last few years, it’s been a grand tour of disappointments and misfortune for Fernando Gaviria. Clearly, he has the speed to win but falls, bad positioning and a mistimed sprint have denied the Colombian a stage win. At 7/1, he’s almost backable again, despite all the burnt fingers.

Team DSM’s Alberto Dainese finished stage 15 alone, 43mins behind stage winner Brandon McNulty and almost 13mins behind everyone else as he suffered from a stomach bug which resulted in several roadside ‘nature breaks’. Three days later, his arms were in the air to repeat his stage win from last year. So a big chapeau to the young Italian, it’s the suffering before the glory that we don’t always see.

The problem with putting up a DSM sprinter is that you never know which one will be given the nod to go for the win. Marius Mayrhofer has been the designated sprinter on four flat stages this Giro and, although that’s written into the price, makes both Mayrhofer and Dainese somewhat unbackable.

The ever-smiling Pascal Ackermann has had a great Giro with a stage win and a strong showing when the road went uphill, but perhaps some frustration that he didn’t have more of a supporting leadout. On a flat sprint, an Ackermann win is unlikely, but on the last stage of a grand tour, nothing can be ruled out.

Surely the heart will be with Intermarché-Circus-Wanty’s Arne Marit after his emotional interview at the end of stage 17. We’re guilty of forgetting, especially when trying to find a betting edge, how much suffering and preparation goes into these races, so chapeau and respect to all the riders in this year’s Giro.

But who will be victorious in the final stage? Milan vince a Roma!

Stage 21 Bets

Jonathan Milan 2pts win @Evs

Posted 18.56 BST 27th May 2023

Prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change - find the best prices available on the Giro d’Italia at Oddschecker

Stage 21 Result

1st Mark Cavendish (15/2)

2nd Alex Kirsch (100/1)

3rd Filippo Fiorelli (200/1)

Stage 21 Bets

Jonathan Milan 2pts win @Evs

Milan finally ran out of legs whilst Gaviria led out yet another winner. Chapeau Cav!