Damiano Cunego was crowned 2004 Giro d'Italia winner after coming home safely in the pack at the end of today's 20th and final stage from Clusone to Milan.
The stage was won by fellow Italian Alessandro Petacchi, his ninth stage success in this year's event, a post-war record.
Cunego (22) had started the day two minutes and two seconds clear in the overall standings and barring an accident his Giro triumph was a formality.
Petacchi, dominant in virtually every sprint finish during the three-week tour, was again seen to best advantage, edging clear in the final few metres for a comfortable success.