Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Rigoberto Uran became the first rider in team history to make the podium of a Grand Tour. The Colombian rider finished 2nd overall behind winner Nairo Quintana (Movistar), after finishing 28th in the 172km 21st and final stage.
Luka Mezgec (Giant-Shimano) won the race, which featured plenty of attacks in the last kilometers as riders tried to surprise the peloton and prevent the anticipated bunch sprint. Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) was 2nd, and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Sharp) was 3rd. OPQS rider Iljo Keisse finished 10th.
Uran spent three stages in the Maglia Rosa after winning the Stage 12, 42.2km ITT from Barbaresco to Barolo. OPQS initially put him in good position by placing 2nd in the 21.7km opening stage team time trial.
Quintana took the pink jersey by winning chaotic Stage 16, which included the Gavia and the Stelvio in some bad weather. He solidified his lead in the Stage 19, 26.8km mountain ITT from Bassano de Grappa to Cima Grappa.
OPQS fought hard until the end, putting three riders with Quintana on the final climb of Monte Zoncolan in Stage 20. Wout Poels and Pieter Serry did fantastic work in support of Uran in that stage, finishing 20th and 27th respectively.
OPQS won the Team Points Classification. OPQS also remains at the top of the UCI WorldTour ranking, with 789 points.
"This Giro was a great experience," Uran said. "We were consistent for three weeks and did what we had to do to reach the podium. We started with a great team time trial in Ireland, which put the whole team into a good mood immediately. It was then a question of saving energy and playing things correctly in terms of tactics in order to arrive at the first ITT in the best position. That time trial was a key moment. We knew it could be crucial for our GC chances and we did really well. It was also a great memory when I put on the Maglia Rosa, as I was the first Colombian to do so at the Giro. We had a gap on our competitors after that stage, and then we relied on a good strategy to defend the Maglia Rosa. Then we had that stage with the Gavia and the Stelvio. After that stage we fought until the end. I think we have to be proud of my 2nd place and that the whole team rode really well. We always had a good team spirit. I have to say also that I discovered a great public at this Giro. The Colombian fans were always supporting me. Today it was fantastic to see all the Colombian flags in front of the podium under the rain. However, the Italian public was also really kind with me. It felt a little bit like riding in my home country. So, given the whole experience, I am happy. We made history with my podium place. It's the first time that OPQS reached the podium of a Grand Tour. We are really thrilled about it. Hopefully this can be the first of a series of good performances. This team a tradition of being good in the Classics and one-day races, but we should we now also have riders for the Grand Tours. We have entered into a new dimension with this Giro."
