The final stage is mostly flat, but it has enough sprint points for me to possibly take the red jersey.

And in order to accomplish this goal the team was on the front. It wouldn't be possible if a breakaway escaped and took up the points.

We succeeded, and I jumped for the sprint point and the 6 points it brought. I needed 14 to make the difference.

But I'm obviously not the fastest sprinter in the peloton, and even though Peter Sagan was mathematically eliminated form the competition, he still popped past me to take the top spot away from me. I took 4. What a dick to play spoiler like that.

I wasn't taking that chance at the 2nd sprint. I had Steele lead me out so I had a huge gap at the start of the sprint.

This time I went uncontested. 6 more in the bag.

I still needed to finish ahead of Rodriguez in order to take it, so as the sprinter's teams took to the front I positioned myself right behind them.

Giant, Cannondale, FDJ, and me near the front.

The last few kms covered a few times around a short and somewhat hilly circuit. I was in prime position as we came off of it.

2 km to go! Degenkolb had the perfect leadout at the front. FDJ was still trying to make their way back up. I sat on the wheels.

1 km to go and all the sprinters opened up! I had a substantial lead of Rodriguez! Time to drain every last bit of this GT I had left!

Meanwhile after receiving brilliant leadout, it was an easy win for John Degenkolb, who was prepared to take the reigns early on when Kittel crashed out.

Before I could register it the pink jersey flew past me. I couldn't give a 2nd kick. My legs were dead. How did he have that much speed.

He finished 6th, I finished 9th, therefore assuring that he would not surrender the red points jersey to me. Very disappointing.

A handy win for Degenkolb. Sagan and Demare round out the podium.

Now the GC. Good news: I made the podium! I even came within 10 seconds of Nibali. At least I showed that I can keep recovery in the 3rd week of a GT when I don't fall ill.

In the end I lost the jersey by 5 points. Wow.

Purito does the sweep. That the KOM as well. Shame for Pirazzi that he put work into it, but lost it because the breaks were swept up on the biggest climbs.

Betancur faded in the last week, but he is still rewarded with the white jersey. Only Ulissi was ever close.

Astana get 2nd place and the team GC. They wanted the overall win but I'd say this was satisfactory for them.

So that ends our 2014 Giro d'Italia. From the start in Ireland we had our ups and downs. I got a few stages, just missed a jersey, and made my first ever GT podium! I think that is a major success for my career and the team! Thanks for the support. I have some time off now before Dauphine, where I'll probably ride in support of Andrew Talansky.

After a layoff from the Giro, it's time to get back to racing with Dauphine!

The route includes 2 TTs, a prologue and a longer one mid way through the race. There are no flats da, although 2 or 3 will likely end in a reduced sprint. There are 3 very high mountain days, and not much in between those two categories.

Since I am out of form and tired following the Giro, along with the fact that the parcours don't really suit me, our leader in this race will be Andrew Talansky. In addition we have climbers in Cardoso, Dennis and Slagter to help out, as well as some good all around domestiques.

Not a huge start list, but some big guns are here.

*** Froome, Rodriguez
** Mollema, Van Garderen, Peraud, Talansky
* Pinot, Roche, Rolland, L.L. Sanchez, Spilak, Sorensen

8 km prologue, might be good for Talansky.

Unfortunately Talansky was forced by his number to be the first off. We hadn't done reconnaissance so it wasn't the best. He tied for the lead when he finished, but would eventually slip to 19th, 12 seconds back.

Luckily we had another trick up our sleeve, Rohan Dennis. He found a way to get more out of the bike with help from the teammates before him, and took the lead!

The first GC contender to place very high was Tejay Van Garderen, who finished 6th.

Next it was me. I tried my best, and it wasn't my worst prologue ever. 55th, 22 seconds down.

Time tog et serious now. Chris Froome storms away. He finishes 4th, 4 seconds back from Dennis. He's 1st of the GC guys but not taking the stage!

Purito was the last to start, fresh off his Giro win, and of course he wasn't in stage contention. He finished 28th, 16 seconds down. That means Rohan takes the stage, along with all the other classifications!