Giro d'Italia 2024 Stage 20 LIVE – Final mountain test for Tadej Pogacar with double ascent of Monte Grappa

#ClassyTouch

A first for the Colomnian, another for Thomas. Hats off to the Welshman who becomes, again, the oldest man to finish on a Giro d'Italia step.

Barring incident or accident. "It's Pog, in pink. Perfection," proclaims Rob Hatch.

About to make it six stages. Thomas and friends have caught Martinez on the descent and this race is all but complete. And Pogacar has almost completed cycling.

He has time to enjoy the appreciation of the fans, and he's taking it.

An important point from Rob Hatch, underlining that what makes Pogacar so special is more than just that he is a once in a generation bike rider. He appreciates what makes this sport special, and unlike other talents is a true leader of it.

Out of the saddle, he's not taking it easy by any means. He even completely rails one hairpin. Call it respect for the race or whatever you like, it stops it getting boring, even if the result was never in doubt.

But descending smoothly on this freshly tarmaced road. He's got about two minutes on Martinez, with Thomas just ten seconds down.

On the Il Pianaro unclassified climb, just as I said they would. Martinez sees that as a challenge, and pops out of the saddle to steal a march on them on the descent.

As if he needs them. And as if he wasn't classy enough, moments ago Pogacar took a bottle and gel from a helper, and handed it straight to a young child running alongside.

He's descending sublimely, but he needs a lot more time than he's going to pick up even if he takes flight. Currently at 13 or 14 seconds, I'd expect the Thomas group to rejoin the Martinez clan. It's just not worth the risk.

The Martinez group locks onto his wheel just as they crest the summit, but he grits his teeth and stays in front over the line. Just. He'll be in azurra in Rome and he's seriously earned it.

Maximum points for the man in pink. He's crushed all comers in that competition.

Utterly peerless. Pellizzari hangs on as long as he can, and Pogacar is encouraging, but isn't going to hang around for him. The crowds are revved and should be allowed to enjoy it but he wants them to keep their hands to themselves. The Martinez is already 53 seconds back, and Thomas is riding the way he does, not losing too much to the trio ahead.

With 4.7km to go, that's the youngster done for I'm afraid. Behind Tiberi is setting the pace, and looking to take as much time on Thomas as he possibly can, even to dislodge him from the podium.

Time for Tadej Pogacar to put on his show. He has 31 seconds to close, and 5.2km of this climb to close it. He'll barely need a fraction of that, and in fact it won't be long before he has Pellizzarri in his sights.

And it's blowing the group apart even before Pogacar has done his thing. Thomas is dangling, Martinez is still there with Tiberi and Rubio.

Almost halfway up this climb and he still has most of the advantage he started it with. If it was anyone else coming up behind, I'd say he stood more than a fighting chance, but it's Pogacar so, I'm afraid, he doesn't. The maglia rosa has been on the radio regularly in recent minutes. It's his Giro, the rest are just living in it.