Movistar's Nairo Quintana made sure of the Tirreno-Adriatico title on Tuesday, despite finishing 55 seconds behind final stage-winner Fabian Cancellara.
Cancellara of Trek Factory Racing sprinted to victory in the time trial, which began and finished at San Benedetto del Tronto, although Quintana's earlier efforts - particularly in the mountains on Sunday - helped ensure his success.
Quintana is the first Colombian to win the event, with Dutchman Bauke Mollema finishing second overall, while the victor's compatriot Rigoberto Uran completed the podium spots.
Of the top three, only second and third place were realistically up for grabs, after Quintana had built up a 39-second lead going into the final stage.
The 25-year-old led the general classification from stage five onwards, having won the leg between Esanatoglia and Monte Terminillo.
Thibaut Pinot (FDJ.fr) and Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) finished in fourth and fifth overall respectively.
Cancellara produced a late surge to ensure victory in the time trial ahead of closest challenger Quintana's team-mate Adriano Malori.
Just a second had separated the pair at the five-kilometre mark, but the Swiss finished strongly to warm up in style for Sunday's Milan-San Remo event.
"I just gave it all in. I'm really happy and satisfied, not just with the race but also with the bigger picture and the big races in the next weekend," he is quoted as telling Cycling News.