Denis Menchov (Team Rabobank) is the glorious winner of the Centenary Giro d’Italia. Hundred years after the first edition of the Giro, Menchov showed that he was the one to earn the maglia rosa over three weeks of racing in one of the most exiting Grand Tours ever.

It has been a fantastic race: 21 stages, 3455 km with six mountaintop finishes and three time trials. And even more important: all the top teams were present and eager to win the pink jersey. Denis Menchov showed his ambitions in the 5th stage with finish on top of the Alpe di Siusi where he beat the competition, including Danilo Di Luca (LPR) his biggest opponent and 2007 Giro winner who was wearing the pink jersey. The Russian rider demonstrated his strength once again in the 12th stage, an individual time trial over 60.6 km. After this victory he took over the lead and defended it successfully until the end despite several attacks to his position especially by Di Luca.

Denis Menchov was riding SHIMANO DURA-ACE 7900 components and DURA-ACE wheels, a PRO Vibe handlebar and stem and SHIMANO SH-R310 shoes in his victory tour through Italy.

Menchov says: “As a professional cyclist it is very important to rely fully on the performance of your bike and its components. Rigidity, a perfect control and smooth shifting performance is crucial to focus on the race and beat the competition. SHIMANO and PRO have never let me down in this respect and their products have earned my complete confidence.”