Alberto Contador celebrated the second Giro d'Italia victory of his career after a processional stage 21 on Sunday, which was won by breakaway rider Iljo Keisse (Etixx-Quick Step).
Tinkoff-Saxo man Contador lost two minutes to nearest challenger Fabio Aru (Astana) as he toiled to the finishing line in a gruelling stage 20, but he had already done enough to ensure the final 185-kilometre ride from Turin to Milan was a mere formality.
The stage itself was won by Keisse, who edged out fellow breakaway rider Luke Durbridge (Orica GreenEdge), before the pair embraced at the finish line.
Contador's triumph is even more impressive considering he suffered a dislocated shoulder during a stage-six crash and the Spaniard, who led the race for 16 of 21 stages, will now bask in the glory of winning the pink jersey before quickly switching his focus to winning a Giro and Tour de France double.
During the final stage, Contador held up three fingers to television cameras to signal he considered this to be his third Giro victory, but the record books will show that his 2011 win was void due to a positive test for clenbuterol.
Nevertheless, Contador now has seven Grand Tour victories to his name in a sterling career and is sure to be among the front-runners for the Tour de France, which starts on July 4.
Unsurprisingly the stage started in a rather sedate manner, although Contador's pink bike and the pink handlebars sported by Tinkoff-Saxo riders in celebration of the General Classification win brought some colour to proceedings.
The first break of any note came with 94km remaining, as BMC Racing made a move for points classification hopeful Philippe Gilbert to win the first intermediate sprint.
With 36km remaining, the riders entered Milan for the start of seven circuits of the city, with the third lap offering more sprint points.
The break of Keisse and Durbridge saw them lead the way, before Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) went clear of the bunch to extend his lead in the points classification - the only category that was left to be decided on Sunday.
Several riders were hindered by punctures in the final stages and that allowed Keisse and Durbridge to maintain their gap at the front.
In the final 300 metres the chasing pack came into view, but Keisse's advantage was big enough for him to take the win and share a hug with Durbridge.
Keisse took 50 sprint points on offer for the victor, as Nizzolo came home in fifth to ensure his victory for the red jersey.
Contador was then swarmed by his Tinkoff-Saxo team-mates as he crossed the line.