It's been eleven years since Stefano Garzelli won the Giro d'Italia in 2000. This year, he won the the green climber's jersey for a second consecutive year.

He says he will continue to race with the Acqua & Sapone team through 2012.

"My motto is that if a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing well. I think I did everything right to peak for the Giro d'Italia and I intend to do the same thing all over again next year. I've got a contract with Acqua & Sapone and I'm happy to be with them and help young riders like Carlos Betancourt, who finished fourth in Sestriere," said the soon 38-year-old Italian.

Garzelli did well at the long stage from Conegliano to Gardeccia, a stage that included five major climbs and he took many climber's points during the race.

In the end, Garzelli finished with the climber's points race with a total of 67 points. Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-SunGard) finished second with 58 and Jose Rujano (Androni Giocattoli) third with 43 points.

"It's hugely satisfying to win the green jersey. I knew I couldn't compete for the maglia rosa this year, the course was just too tough for me, so I targeted stage victories and the mountains classification," Garzelli said.

"I didn't win a stage but I went close on the day to Gardeccia, when I was on the attack all day and then finished second. I was gutted not to win but I was proud of how I rode on such a big mountain stage. I actually think the maglia verde is more prestigious than a stage victory because it puts my name in the history books of the Giro yet again. And having won it in this very hard Giro is even more satisfying."