to VeloNews.com Live Coverage of the 21st and final stage of the 2008 Giro d'Italia.

Today's is a 28.5-kilometer individual time trial from Cesano Maderno to Milan. Despite the fact that there are 141 riders starting today, it really is a two-man race... three or four at the most. As a result, we'll begin our detailed coverage only when the top riders leave the start house today:

125. Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (ESP), Caisse d'Epargne starts at 4:10 p.m.
126. Paolo Savoldelli (ITA), Team L.P.R. starts at 4:13 p.m.
127. Felix Rafael Cardenas (COL), Barloworld starts at 4:16 p.m.
128. Erik Gustav Larsson (SWE), CSC starts at 4:19 p.m.
129. Tadej Valjavec (SLO), Ag2r La Mondiale starts at 4:22 p.m.
130. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA), Liquigas starts at 4:25 p.m.
131. Fortunato Baliani (ITA), CSF Group Navigare starts at 4:28 p.m.
132. Gilberto Simoni (ITA), Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni starts at 4:31 p.m.
133. Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA), CSF Group Navigare starts at 4:34 p.m.
134. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (BEL), Silence-Lotto starts at 4:37 p.m.
135. Danilo Di Luca (ITA), Team L.P.R. starts at 4:40 p.m.
136. Denis Menchov (RUS), Rabobank starts at 4:43 p.m.
137. Emanuele Sella (ITA), CSF Group Navigare starts at 4:46 p.m.
138. Franco Pellizotti (ITA), Liquigas starts at 4:49 p.m.
139. Marzio Bruseghin (ITA), Lampre starts at 4:52 p.m.
140. Riccardo Ricco' (ITA), Saunier Duval starts at 4:55 p.m.
141. Alberto Contador (ESP), Astana starts at 4:58 p.m.

Up to this point, we've had som impressive rides with Tony Martin turning in the best time so far:

1. Tony Martin (G), High Road, 32:52
2. Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus) Tinkoff, 32:55
3. Bradley Wiggins (GB), High Road, at 32:58
4. Danny Pate (USA), Slipstream, 33:09
5. Steven Cummings (GB), Barloworld, 33:09

The whole Team Barloworld was shocked upon receiving Saturday evening the sad news of Felix Cardenas brother’s sudden death. The fatal accident had happened on Friday in Colombia: Jorgen Cardenas, 47, father of seven sons, was run over by a hit-and-run driver sweeping him while he was replacing his car’s tire on the side of the road.

The sad news joined Felix after the hard Saturday’s stage and made him deeply pained of course. Notwithstanding the Colombian climber decided to ride the last time-trial stage and finish his Giro d’Italia anyway. Meanwhile Team Manager Claudio Corti took care to arrange his travel back to Colombia on Monday morning for his brother’s funeral scheduled on Tuesday.

All the Team Barloworld staff, Felix's team mates and the Barloworld management convey their condolences to Felix Cardenas and his family at this difficult time and to express their deepest sympathies.

It's overcast, but warm in Milano - perfect day for a time trial. There's nary a breeze and the course is a flat shot to the finish, so it's perfect for the big-gear specialists. There are a few tight corners in the final run into the finish, but nothing that should complicate matters too much.

The points jeresy winner has finished his Giro with a solid and respectable time of 33:09.

Danny Pate had a good time in fourth. He won't be winning the "black number" with that ride - he started the day third-from-last

There are good-sized crowds in MIlano, but it's a bank holiday this weekend, so the city is like a ghost town as it seems half the city has headed to the beach for the first weekend of summer.

If you questions, comments, complaints or whatever, go ahead and hit the "contact our editors" link below the Live Update Window.

High Road's Marco Pinotti comes in with a time of 32:45.

Meanwhile, we're seeing hundreds of Bruseghin fans wearing hats with donkey's ears sticking straight up. The Lampre rider raises donkeys and has more than two dozen on his farm up in the hills.

Looks like the Giro is drawing good numbers on Italian TV. Saturday's stage over the Mortirolo drew 4 million viewers for a 44% share

Slipstream's Christian Vande Velde is on course.

He told us he wanted to save his legs as best he could through the final mountain stages to "give it a good shot" in the final TT.

You can really tell that some riders are taking this stage seriously - the High Road squad is a good example - while others are just riding this 28.5 kilometers and happy to do be done with this three-week tour. We've already seen several riders raise their arms in a victory salute as they cross the line. They've made it; they're done!

world junior time trial champion Taylor Phinney didn’t disappoint the enthusiastic Swiss fans yesterday during the scenic stage 3 individual time trial of the Tour de Pay du Vaud. Taylor put in a magnificent ride on the 8.9 km time trial course that skirted the Sarine River from Rougemont to Chateau-d’Oex. Taylor is in 6th place overall and just 1? separates him from finishing the five stage event in fourth place. Today’s final road stage starts in Assens and finishes 117.8 km lat

1. Marco Pinotti (I), High Road, 32:45
2. Tony Martin (G), High Road, 32:52
3. Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus), Tinkoff, 32:55
4. Bradley Wiggins (GB), High Road, 32:58
5. Danny Pate (USA), Slipstream, 33:09
6. Daniele Bennati (I), Liquigas, 33:09
7. Steven Cummings (GB), Barloworld, 33:09
8. Geraint Thomas (GB), Barloworld, 33:24
9. David Millar (GB), Slipstream, 33:27
10. Alexander Serov (Rus), Tinkoff, 33:35

Slipstream DS Matt White said the team met its goals during the Giro. First was to win the TTT in Palermo, the second was to prepare for the Tour and third was to try to win another stage. "We have achieved all of our goals. Today’s last stage is another one of those days we can try to win. Our four survivors are all good time trialers and will be giving it their all today. Our real hopes lie with our two stage racing veterans, Christian and David," he said on the team's web page.

finishes with a 33:07, 22 seconds off of Pinotti's leading time. That's a little better than Danny Pate and fourth-best, thus far.

Leipheimer is just getting started.

That was the Giro's other (non-hill-climb) individual time trial. It's not a completely fair comparison - the stage 10 TT was much hillier than today's flat run into Milan - but it's really all we have.

Have a look to see how today's big contenders ranked:
1. Marzio Bruseghin (ITA), Lampre in 56:41
2. Alberto Contador (ESP), Astana, at 0:08
3. Andreas Kloden (GER), Astana, at 0:20
4. Marco Pinotti (ITA), Team High Road, at 0:36
5. Paolo Savoldelli (ITA), Team L.P.R., at 0:44
6. Denis Menchov (RUS), Rabobank, at 0:46
7. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA), Liquigas, at 0:54
8. Erik Gustav Larsson (SWE), CSC, at 0:59
9. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Astana, at 1:01
10. Gilberto Simoni (ITA), Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni, at 1:02
11. Gabriele Bosisio (ITA), Team L.P.R., at s.t.
12. Giovanni Visconti (ITA), Quick Step, at 1:05
13. Broeck Jurgen Van Den (BEL), Silence-Lotto, at 1:18
14. Evgeni Petrov (RUS), Tinkoff, at 1:31
15. Christian Vandevelde (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle, at 1:38
16. Riccardo Ricco' (ITA), Saunier Duval, at 2:04
17. Vladimir Gusev (RUS), Astana, at 2:05
18. Franco Pellizotti (ITA), Liquigas, at 2:09
19. Danilo Di Luca (ITA), Team L.P.R., at 2:11
20. Tony Martin (GER), Team High Road, at 2:13

Pinotti's time is looking pretty good - he's already bettered such riders as Millar, Vande Velde, Voigt and Wiggins. Leipheimer is on course and the remaining GC riders who could beat him could be Gustav Larsson (CSC), Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre) or Denis Menchov (Rabobank).

Leipheimer will want to have a good ride to help with his selection to make the Olympic team

is on route.

1. Marco Pinotti (I), High Road, 32:45
2. Tony Martin (G), High Road, 32:52
3. Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus), Tinkoff, 32:55
4. Bradley Wiggins (GB), High Road, 32:58
5. Christian Vande Velde (USA), Slipstream, 33:07
6. Danny Pate (USA), Slipstream, 33:09
7. Daniele Bennati (I), Liquigas, 33:09
8. Steven Cummings (GB), Barloworld, 33:09
9. Vladimir Gusev (Rus), Astana, 33:16
10. Jens Voigt (G), CSC, 33:18

Ryder Hesjedal rode in his last major race wearing the Canadian time trial championship jersey. "I felt good (Saturday). I was finally in the race. I won the sprint for second in the second group," he said at the line Saturday. "I'm coming out of the Giro tired. I think after a rest I'll feel pretty good and hopefully get into the Tour."

Leipheimer is 24 seconds off the best time in the 19.7km time check

The last time a Tour de France defending champ started the Giro was Marco Pantani in 1999. Pantani later tested for high hematocrit, an event that began his spiral downward. The last Tour defending champ who won the Giro was Miguel Indurain in 1992. We can only assume that Contador would like to pick up the mantle from Big Mig and not Il Pirata.

1. Marco Pinotti, Team High Road in 32:45

2. Tony Martin, Team High Road in 32:52

3. Mikhail Ignatiev, Tinkoff in 32:55

4. Bradley Wiggins, Team High Road in 32:58

5. Christian Vandevelde, Slipstream-Chipotle in 33:07

6. Danny Pate, Slipstream-Chipotle in 33:09

7. Daniele Bennati, Liquigas

8. Steven Cummings, Barloworld

9. Vladimir Gusev, Astana in 33:16

10. Jens Voigt, CSC in 33:18

11. Geraint Thomas, Barloworld in 33:24

12. David Millar, Slipstream-Chipotle in 33:27

13. Vasil Kiryienka, Tinkoff

14. Alexander Serov, Tinkoff in 33:35

15. Michael Blaudzun, De-Nardi CSC in 33:37

16. Paul Martens, Rabobank in 34:11

17. Nikolai Trussov, Tinkoff in 34:12

18. Giovanni Visconti, Quick Step in 34:14

19. Rinaldo Nocentini, Ag2r La Mondiale in 34:18

20. Alessandro Vanotti, Liquigas in 34:19

1. Mikhail Ignatiev, (RUS), Tinkoff in 13:19

2. Marco Pinotti, (ITA), Team High Road

3. Gabriele Bosisio, (ITA), Team L.P.R. in 13:20

4. Vasil Kiryienka, (BLR), Tinkoff

5. Tony Martin, (GER), Team High Road in 13:25

6. Evgeni Petrov, (RUS), Tinkoff

7. Steven Cummings, (GBR), Barloworld in 13:29

8. Vladimir Gusev, (RUS), Astana in 13:33

9. Bradley Wiggins, (GBR), Team High Road in 13:34

10. Danny Pate, (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle in 13:35

11. Vladimir Karpets, (RUS), Caisse d'Epargne

12. Christian Vandevelde, (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle

13. Yoann Leboulanger, (FRA), Francaise des Jeux in 13:38

14. David Millar, (GBR), Slipstream-Chipotle in 13:40

15. Levi Leipheimer, (USA), Astana in 13:43

16. Alexander Serov, (RUS), Tinkoff in 13:44

17. Jens Voigt, (GER), CSC in 13:45

18. Daniele Bennati, (ITA), Liquigas

19. Geraint Thomas, (GBR), Barloworld in 13:53

20. Adam Hansen, (AUS), Team High Road in 13:56

1. Mikhail Ignatiev, (RUS), Tinkoff in 23:08

2. Tony Martin, (GER), Team High Road in 23:10

3. Marco Pinotti, (ITA), Team High Road

4. Bradley Wiggins, (GBR), Team High Road in 23:16

5. Danny Pate, (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle in 23:19

6. Steven Cummings, (GBR), Barloworld in 23:25

7. Vasil Kiryienka, (BLR), Tinkoff in 23:29

8. Gabriele Bosisio, (ITA), Team L.P.R.

9. David Millar, (GBR), Slipstream-Chipotle in 23:35

10. Daniele Bennati, (ITA), Liquigas

11. Vladimir Gusev, (RUS), Astana in 23:39

12. Christian Vandevelde, (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle in 23:40

13. Evgeni Petrov, (RUS), Tinkoff in 23:43

14. Alexander Serov, (RUS), Tinkoff in 23:44

15. Geraint Thomas, (GBR), Barloworld in 23:47

16. Jens Voigt, (GER), CSC in 23:48

17. Levi Leipheimer, (USA), Astana in 23:52

18. Yoann Leboulanger, (FRA), Francaise des Jeux in 23:54

19. Vladimir Karpets, (RUS), Caisse d'Epargne in 23:56

20. Michael Blaudzun, (DEN), CSC in 24:01

Here comes Bettini - riding in Quick Step jersey because it's not a road stage. Will it be Il Grillo's final Giro? He raises his hands in triumph as he rolls across the line and applauds the fans.

comes to the finish with a time of 33:41...15th best on the day.

the Vuelta champion is on route.

Menchov is an outsider for the podium today if he can make up time on Bruseghin and Pellizotti. Menchov has recovered from a sore throat he suffered in the second week and was strong over the Mortirolo, helping to drop Di Luca and his other podium rivals, but it all came back together on the long run the finish. "Denis did everything he could on the Mortirolo to make the gap as wide as possible. Even the podium was in sight for a moment. Denis was good, but apparently the others were so as well," said DS Erik Breukink. "The podium is still possible, who says Denis can't win the time trial?"

Sella is on route, now.

Our man Andrew Hood says that Sella is "my pick to win - then his head will explode."

We'll be watching for that Andrew.

Van den Broeck is suffering - way off the back in the first time check - around the mid-50s

1. Marco Pinotti (I), High Road, 32:45
2. Tony Martin (G), High Road, 32:52
3. Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus), Tinkoff, 32:55
4. Bradley Wiggins (GB), High Road, 32:58
5. Christian Vande Velde (USA), Slipstream, 33:07

That may change here, soon, though. Bruseghin is all zipped up and ready to roll. He's got to be the fav' to win today. Let's keep track of him.

is on the road.

The race is coming down to the two men within just four seconds of one another. He looks a little nervous.

Menchov comes through the time check at 10.9km, 20 seconds off of Ignatiev's mark of 13:19

Contador just did the Hail Mary and Holy Cross - he's on course, dressed head to toe in pink

The Liquigas man comes in with a 34:44, 40th best. He really was hoping for more out this stage and more out of this Giro.

He looks like he's sporting at least a 56-tooth front chainring. He's powering a big gear.

Sella goes through the first time check with the 82nd best time. It looks like Hood may be wrong... but at least the green jersey holder's head won't explode, either.

like Contador is sporting a one-piece aero suit - right down to the gloves.

The CSF rider finishes, 2:46 behind Pinotti's winning time.

hits the 1st time check with a time of 14:13. He's nearly a minute off of Ignatiev's time. Interesting.

finishes with a time of 37:47, about five minutes off the top time.

Ricco was 14:35 at 10.9km, 84th best.

hits the time check at 10.9km with a time of 13:40, meaning he's already taken 55 seconds out of Ricco... and 16 out of Menchov.

The Spanish journo's here have just breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Van den Broeck finishes with a time of 35:28

1. Mikhail Ignatiev, (RUS), Tinkoff in 13:19

2. Marco Pinotti, (ITA), Team High Road

3. Gabriele Bosisio, (ITA), Team L.P.R. in 13:20

4. Vasil Kiryienka, (BLR), Tinkoff

5. Tony Martin, (GER), Team High Road in 13:25

6. Evgeni Petrov, (RUS), Tinkoff

7. Steven Cummings, (GBR), Barloworld in 13:29

8. Vladimir Gusev, (RUS), Astana in 13:33

9. Bradley Wiggins, (GBR), Team High Road in 13:34

10. Danny Pate, (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle in 13:35

11. Vladimir Karpets, (RUS), Caisse d'Epargne

12. Christian Vandevelde, (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle

13. Yoann Leboulanger, (FRA), Francaise des Jeux in 13:38

14. Alberto Contador, (ESP), Astana in 13:40

15. David Millar, (GBR), Slipstream-Chipotle

16. Levi Leipheimer, (USA), Astana in 13:43

17. Alexander Serov, (RUS), Tinkoff in 13:44

18. Jens Voigt, (GER), CSC in 13:45

19. Daniele Bennati, (ITA), Liquigas

20. Paolo Savoldelli, (ITA), Team L.P.R. in 13:51

has finished with a time of 36:21, 106th best of the day. He has to be tired.

It doesn't look fast at all.

He finishes with a time of 34:14, 24th on the day.... and he may not make the podium, either... unless Ricco pulls a Rasmussen. (By that we mean crashing in the TT, not disappearing when the testers arrive.)

Comes in with a time of 35:19.

Sella's head is safe, as is Hoody's rep' as a premier prognosticator.

Pellizoti looks like he may be fighting his way on to the podium. He's powering through the final kilometers. He and Bruseghin were separated by five seconds at the start and Bruseghin's TT is not as good as we might have expected.

Pelizotti gets 34:15, the same as Menchov.

Meanwhile, Contador has now taken 1:26 out of Ricco.

is heading to the finish.

He has really picked it up these last few kilometers.

His finishing time of 34:18 is barely enough to keep third. He holds his podium spot by TWO SECONDS. It must have been the donkey ears.

Pelizzoti smiles and shrugs. He's taking it well.

let's see how the Saunier Duval rider does. Let's also see whom he insults at the finish line today. His mom?

finishes with a time 2:32 off of Pinotti's

Contador pumped his fist twice times on his heart and shot his pistol as he crossed the line and raised his arms.

He knows the deal. He finishes the Giro 1:57 ahead of Ricco. Contador wins the 91st edition of the Giro d'Italia. Ricco is second at 1:57 and Bruseghin at 2:54. Pellizotti is fourth at 2:56 and Denis Menchov rounds out the top five at 3:37.

1. Marco Pinotti, (ITA), Team High Road 28.5km in 32:45 (52.213kph)

2. Tony Martin, (GER), Team High Road at 0:07

3. Mikhail Ignatiev, (RUS), Tinkoff at 0:10

4. Bradley Wiggins, (GBR), Team High Road at 0:13

5. Christian Vandevelde, (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle at 0:22

6. Danny Pate, (USA), Slipstream-Chipotle at 0:24

7. Daniele Bennati, (ITA), Liquigas at s.t.

8. Steven Cummings, (GBR), Barloworld at s.t.

9. Vladimir Gusev, (RUS), Astana at 0:31

10. Jens Voigt, (GER), CSC at 0:33

11. Alberto Contador, (ESP), Astana at 0:39

12. Geraint Thomas, (GBR), Barloworld at s.t.

13. David Millar, (GBR), Slipstream-Chipotle at 0:42

14. Vasil Kiryienka, (BLR), Tinkoff at s.t.

15. Gabriele Bosisio, (ITA), Team L.P.R. at 0:47

16. Alexander Serov, (RUS), Tinkoff at 0:50

17. Michael Blaudzun, (DEN), CSC at 0:52

18. Levi Leipheimer, (USA), Astana at 0:56

19. Yoann Leboulanger, (FRA), Francaise des Jeux at 1:01

20. Evgeni Petrov, (RUS), Tinkoff at 1:04

thank you folks. I have enjoyed this grand tour more than most. I appreciate all the notes and emails you have all sent in. This has been a terrific race and your comments and questions have made that much better.

We'll be back with Live Coverage of other big races in the near future (we're still working on the schedule), but we'll most certainly be here with Live up-to-the-minute coverage of the Tour de France.

Thanks for tuning in.