Cycling: Cunego wins Giro d'Italia

Emerging talent Damiano Cunego was crowned 2004 Giro d'Italia winner after coming home safely in the pack at the end of yesterday's 20th and final stage over 144km 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 2min 2s clear in the overall standings and barring an accident his Giro triumph was a formality.

Petacchi, dominant in virtually every sprint finish since day one, was again seen to best advantage, edging clear in the final few metres for a comfortable success in 4h 7min 1s. Second place went to compatriot Marco Zanotti, with Dutchman Aart Vierhouten in third.

Cunego rode home in 19th, eight seconds behind the winner but holding on firmly to his overall lead ahead of Ukraine's Serhiy Honchar.