Mattie Dodd wrapped up the Maglia Azzurra and the Mountains competition on the final day of the Giro d'Italia Next Gen.
The INEOS Grenadiers Racing Academy rider put in a consistent performance across the eight stages. Laying the foundations in the stage four breakaway, Dodd then racked up further crucial points while off the front on stages five and six. With an unassailable points lead, Dodd finished 28th in Sunday's time trial finale, before pulling on the blue jersey on the final podium.
Nicolas Milesi was the team's best-placed rider on the day in L'Aquila, setting the seventh fastest time across the 22.2-kilometre course.
Milesi came within a second of spending a stint on the hot seat during the midpoint of the day, with the stage eventually won by race winner Lorenzo Finn (Red Bull - Bora Hansgrohe Rookies).
Cameron Rogers was the next Racing Academy rider home in the TT, setting the 14th fastest time. On the GC it was Max Hinds who led the charge, gaining valuable experience on the way to finishing 20th overall.
Reaction
Mattie Dodd: "To be honest the blue jersey was never something that was in my mind coming here. Then obviously on stage four I attacked at the end and took the points. I went into blue but I was a bit disappointed to not quite get the stage win there. But I went into blue, and then in the Bacoli stage I took loads of points, and after Bacoli it became a target to keep it.
"Doing the maths I knew that on stage six if I could take the first points on that first climb - those 18 points - I'd be in a much better position. As we went on it definitely became a goal. It's super cool to be wearing the jersey in a race like this and a good week overall I'd say."