In a textbook performance, Lotto Soudal guided Greipel through two laps of a technically difficult 8km circuit at the finish in Bibione. The final lap was neutralised for overall contenders due to earlier rain and risky corners.
The red Lotto Soudal train controlled the peloton once it hit the first lap of the finishing circuit. Conducted by Adam Hansen, the train swung from left to right blocking other teams from the front.
"Our plan was to arrive with the whole team at the front of the peloton for the last lap," Greipel said.
"Chapeau to my team-mates, especially to Jurgen Roelandts for his lead-out. I left a bit of a gap behind him but I had really good legs for the final sprint."
Greipel will now leave the Giro d'Italia, the red points jersey falling to Nizzolo.
"I'm sorry to leave the Giro with the Maglia Rossa but my season is full of goals and I need to rest. I've already achieved so much at the Giro," Greipel said.
For Ewan it was close but no cigar, however the Aussie speedster is getting closer to a stage victory and remains undaunted.
“We are getting closer and closer,” Ewan said. “Luka (Mezgec) and the guys did a great job in getting me up there today and you can see that the work we have been putting in is starting to pay off, it was very close.”
“Obviously I’m disappointed not to get the win, it is such a hard race but I’m gaining lots of valuable experience on every stage and Luka and myself are developing really well together.”
Like the other overall contenders, race leader Bob Jungels made it through the stage unscathed.
"At the Giro, even the sprinters's stages aren't easy. But I paid a lot of attention in the corners. It was a good decision to neutralize the last lap for the overall classification," he said.
Jungels will wear the pink into tomorrow's high mountain stage but is realistic about continuing as leader.
"I'll defend the Maglia Rosa in the mountains with all the power I have. We'll see if it's enough to hold off the other GC contenders.
"I don't expect too much from myself but I'll do my best."
Daniel Oss (BMC) and Mirco Maestri (Bardiani-CSF) formed an early breakaway, their advantage never reaching more than three minutes despite the rain. The pair were reeled in with around 22kms to race.
