Milram's Italian sprinter took his fifth success of this year's race and the 24th career stage win in the event on Sunday.

"I've now won 24 stages at the Giro and hopefully I can win even more in the future. Everybody says the Tour de France is the most important race in cycling but I think the Giro d'Italia is the best race in the world," he said.

The 33-year-old will now turn his attention to the Tour de France, which begins in London on July 7, and is just happy to be fit again after a crash during the third stage of last year's race forced him to have surgery.

"Twelve months ago I was lying on the sofa and watching the race with my leg in plaster. I deserve this win because I've proved I'm the strongest sprinter in the Giro," Petacchi commented.

"I'm happy to have made it to Milan. It hasn't been easy but winning five stages pays me back for the pain and suffering I've gone through in the last 12 months and in the last three weeks at the Giro."

REUTERS