( CNN ) -- Ryder Hesjedal became the first Canadian to win one of cycling 's three major tours as he claimed victory in the Giro d'Italia Sunday . The 31-year-old Garmin rider snatched the pink jersey from Spain 's Joaquim Rodriguez on the final time trial stage in Milan , forging a winning margin of just 16 seconds after 21 stages . Hesjedal had trailed Rodriguez by 31 seconds ahead of the 28.2 km individual test and sixth place behind stage winner Marco Pinotti was enough to seal his narrow win . The pair had battled through most of the latter stages of the Giro for overall victory with two grueling legs in the Alps ahead of the time trial proving decisive . Hesjedal kept close enough to Rodriguez to lay the foundations for his triumphant finale as the stronger rider against the clock . Belgian Thomas De Gendt , who rode so superbly to win Saturday 's penultimate stage , was rewarded with third place on the podium , one minute 39 seconds behind the winner . For home riders it has proved a difficult Giro , with last year 's winner Michele Scarponi in fourth and Ivan Basso fifth . It was the first time since 1995 that no Italian riders had made the final podium . Small consolation came in the form of Pinotti 's commanding final day victory , finishing 39 seconds clear of Britain 's Geraint Thomas ( Sky ) with Jesse Sergent of New Zealand third . The Giro d'Italia is the first of the three major tours to take place , with the Tour de France starting in July ahead of the Tour of Spain in September .
Garmin rider Ryder Hesjedal wins Giro d'Italia in Milan . Hesjedal first Canadian to claim one of cycling 's major tours . He overhauls Spain 's Joaquim Rodriguez on final time trial stage . Marco Pinotti of Italy wins the 28.2 km test against the clock .