Richie Porte completed the final stage of the Giro del Trentino without issues to secure overall victory in Italy.
The Tasmanian was shepherded through the 161.5-kilometre test by his Team Sky team-mates to clinch the win by 22 seconds over Mikel Landa (Astana).
Taking his third stage race success in a row following big wins at Paris-Nice and the Volta a Catalunya, Porte laid the foundations for his Trentino triumph following an emphatic victory on the day two queen stage.
With Team Sky rallying around their team leader across the four days, a strong and consistent showing also saw Leopold Konig occupy the third step on the overall podium, 58 seconds back on Porte.
The final stage saw a number of attacks with a breakaway trio eventually fighting it out for victory over the finish circuits in Cles. Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) took the win in a three-man sprint to conclude the race.
“It’s a relief to finish it off today. It wasn’t an easy stage,” Porte said in his final winner’s press conference. “We didn’t stop for a natural break, so it was a fast day. Mikel Landa tried some attacks too, so it was anything but a stress-free day. But the team was fantastic again and made it as easy as possible for me.
"It's always nice to win any race.
"It would have been nice if a few more of the Giro favourites were here but you can only race the guys who turn up to race. For me I think it was a fantastic preparation race for the Giro. I'm happy with where I'm at and I felt better each day.
"It's two more weeks until the Giro starts. I can go home, rest, recover and take great confidence in this race as it wasn't easy. I’ll just recover and mix in a few hard days in there to see where my form is but I feel good going into the Giro.
"You look back to two years ago Vincenzo (Nibali) won here. It looks like it is the race to come and do before you go and race the Giro. I'm looking forward to the next few days looking at the decisive stages of the Giro."
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