Marco Coledan waits before Giro d'Italia finish line to ensure he finishes last
The maglia nera lives on
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

There's a weird prestige about finishing last in a Grand Tour, and while the infamous maglia nera no longer exists at the Giro d'Italia, Marco Coledan of Trek Factory Racing went to extreme lengths on the penultimate stage to make sure he finished last.
The black jersey was awarded to the last placed rider at the Giro between 1946 and 1951 before it was scrapped, and it's that symbolic prize it appears Coledan is aiming to win.
The Italian stopped and waited shortly before the finish line on the summit-finish of Sestriere to wait for Roger Kluge (IAM Cycling), his closest rival in the fight for last place, with a number of spectators catching snaps of the rider relaxing by the advertising hoardings which did the rounds on Twitter over the weekend.
Coledan rolled in just before time-cut on the 20th stage won by Fabio Aru (Astana).
It turns out there's a price to pay for the wooden spoon however, with the race jury hitting Coledan with a 500CHF (£348) fine for failing to 'sportingly defend his own chances', as stated in Article 12.1.007 of the UCI rules.
Coledan heads into the final flat stage to Milan with a seven minute buffer to 162nd placed Kluge. Let's hope there isn't a stand-off between the pair in the final 10 metres, or if there is, it looks like it'll come at a bit of a cost.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
-
Jess Roberts doubles up at British Track Championships as 19 year-old sprinter topples Olympian
Comeback queen wins her first solo national title in the scratch race
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Extinction Rebellion stages anti-Shell protest at British Track Champs
Two people carried a banner through the stands at Newport's Geraint Thomas National Velodrome
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
All the 2023 kits: EF Education-EasyPost share latest collaboration with Rapha
American WorldTour team become latest to release their new 2023 kit, here's the rest
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Van Vleuten confirms her superiority with Ceratizit Challenge GC victory
Elisa Balsamo takes the final stage bunch kick on the Madrid circuit after consummate work from Trek-Segafredo
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Trek-Segafredo win the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta team time trial
Elisa Longo Borghini led the American squad home and will take the leader's red jersey into the remaining four stages
By Owen Rogers • Last updated
-
Fred Wright ‘gutted’ but still smiling after second place on Tour de France stage 13
Londoner missed out to classics specialist Mads Pedersen
By Vern Pitt • Last updated
-
No Covid positives at Tour de France after testing, 165 riders head into second week
All riders return negative covid tests done on Sunday evening
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Van Vleuten confirms her third Giro Donne victory
The Dutch rider finishes safely in the bunch while Chiara Consonni takes the final stage
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
'I just come out at every race swinging': Simon Clarke achieves childhood dream with Tour de France stage win after winter of contract fears
Australian was without a team coming into the season
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
World champion Balsamo takes her second stage at the Giro Donne
The race’s third sprint finish saw the same three women contest for honours in Reggio Emilia
By Owen Rogers • Published