Astana's Vincenzo Nibali was crowned the 2013 Giro D'Italia winner in Brescia this afternoon after Mark Cavendish won the 21st and final stage to confirm his points jersey victory.
The Italian having wrapped up victory with superb victories in the time trial and on stage twenty still had the points jersey to battle for on the 206km final stage from Riese Pio to Bescia.
Nibali was eleven points clear of Mark Cavendish but knew that if the Manxman won or finished fifth without him taking a point then the Maglia Rosa wearing rider would lose the red jersey, which Cavendish took to the road in.
The peloton rolled out and was altogether for the first fifty kilometres. British rider Steve Cummings was one of those to try and attack but he was soon brought back by the peloton which was being controlled by the eight man Omega Pharma Quick Step team.
Cavendish took the eight points from the first intermediate sprint to come to three points within the lead of Nibali who was clearly not contesting the red jersey.
There were big crowds out on the route ,which was enjoying the best weather for a few days as the riders who let Stefano Garzelli who is retiring have a last farewell at the front as the riders came on to the finishing circuit for the first of seven laps.
Mark Cavendish took what he thought was the second sprint with 25kms to go and Ermeti went away after Cavendish had sat up.
Ermeti was caught four kilometres later by the Omega Pharma Quick Step team, who helped Cavendish to get the eight points when the intermediate sprint did come round with 16.8kms to go.
With Cavendish now the red jersey winner, his goal was a fifth stage victory.
Into the final kilometre, it was a battle between Omega and Cannondale working for Viviani and Cavendish went clear to win in a time of 5.30.08 ahead of Sacha Modolo and Elia Viviani.
Speaking after the race to Daniel Lloyd, Mark Cavendish said: "So so happy. "Everyone knew I was going for the intermediate and the peloton were a gentleman today. With the changes we did nto know what was happening but we took control. Viviani went too early and I just went.
"I have had good form all year and we have bonded so well and and when that happens all you have to do is to win."