Australian team Mitchelton-Scott win first Grand Tour at Giro Rosa

MITCHELTON-Scott has won its first ever Grand Tour after Annemiek van Vleuten cemented her dominance of the Giro Rosa with a final stage victory.

Van Vleuten’s third stage victory of the women’s Italian race came after she attacked solo with 5km left in Sunday’s 120km10th and final day in Friuli.

It is the first time Australia’s World Tour team, created in 2012, has won a Grand Tour race.

They did so spectacularly, winning six of the 10 stages on offer, including van Vleuten’s final day triumph in the Maglia Rosa - the leader’s pink jersey.

“This is a dream come true, not only for me but for the whole team,” van Vleuten said.

“We prepared so well for this race ... it’s a super story for the team.”

Amanda Spratt, who finished third overall to give Mitchelton-Scott two of the three spots on the final podium, was delighted.

“We came here wanting to win the Giro Rosa and Annemiek has done it and it’s really thanks to the entire team - the riders, the staff, everyone has worked so hard for this,” Spratt said.

“It’s giving me goosebumps to see how well we have all worked together.”