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United States | Midwest | Ohio >> Vincenzo Nibali wins the Taiwan KOM Challenge

VIDEO: Vincenzo Nibali wins the Taiwan KOM Challenge

Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) ended his 2017 season with victory at the Taiwan KOM Challenge, finishing more than a minute ahead of Spain’s Oscar Pujol and John Ebsen. Phil Gaimon was sixth and Cadel Evans 10th.

Nibali set a new record for the event with a time of 3h 19m 54s. The 106km event starts at sea level and finishes at an altitude of 3,275 metres atop the Wuling Pass, Taiwan’s highest road, after 105 kilometres.

Vincenzo Nibali wins the Taiwan KOM Challenge

Former Cannondale rider and well known cyclist, star of the "Worst Retirement Ever", Phil Gaimon finished sixth, 10 minutes back, with 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans 10th.

The women race was dominated by Brits.

Britain’s Emma Pooley won the women’s race with Hayley Simmonds second and Emily-Grace Collinge third.

Britain’s Emma Pooley won the women’s race with Hayley Simmonds second and Emily-Grace Collinge third.

The Taiwan KOM Challenge brought down the curtain on Nibali’s 2017 season. He finished third at Giro d’Italia, second to Chris Froome at the Vuelta a Espana and winning Il Lombardia for a second time.

Left to Right: Cadel Evans, Emma Pooley and winner Vincenzo Nibali

“It was a hard race because we went from sea level up to 3,275 metres. I’ve never ridden such a long and hard climb before in my entire life,” Nibali said after posing on the winner’s podium.

“I waited until the final 10 kilometres to attack when I saw the other riders tired and suffering. It was my last race of the season and so now its finally time for some holidays"