Russell Downing (Team Sky) overcame illness, crashes and one of the hardest Giro d'Italia routes for years to finish the first grand tour of his career.
The Yorkshire man told Cyclingnews about his highs and lows of the corsa rosa; how he helped young teammate Davide Appollonio in the sprints; tried hard to win the stage to San Pellegrino Terme, crashed 20 metres into the trees but got back on his bike and survived the final mountain stage so he could ride into Milan and finish the Giro.
He was battered and bruised but proud of his achievement.