Tao Geoghegan Hart stands on the brink of Giro d’Italia glory after dramatic stage 20 win

Geoghegan Hart, 25 is riding in only his fourth Grand Tour

Tao Geoghegan Hart, right, sprints clear of Jai Hindley to win stage 20 (Getty)

Britain’s Tao Geoghegan Hart will begin tomorrow’s stage 21 time trial level on time with the man in the maglia rosa, Jai Hindley, in a straight shootout for surprise Giro d’Italia glory. The 25-year-old Londoner surged to victory ahead of the Australian Hindley at the end of a dramatic stage 20 to clinch crucial bonus seconds ahead of his shot at history on Sunday.

It is the first time in any of cycling’s three Grand Tours that two leading riders have reached the finale with identical times. Typically that would create an awkward situation as tradition dictates that the final stage is a truce and a procession to the finish line, but this Giro end with a flat 15.7km time-trial in Milan – terrain that should favour Geoghegan Hart – where the best man will win.

Geoghegan Hart outsprinted Hindley to win the mountainous 20th stage, which included three climbs to the Sestriere ski resort. Both riders were both listed with overall times of 80hr 22min 7sec. Organisers had to go back to the race's two time trials and drill down to unrevealed milliseconds to determine that Hindley is the leader. Previous leader Wilco Kelderman dropped to third overall, 1min 32sec behind.

The stage had been due to go through the punishing Col d'Agnel and Col d'Izoard in France, but restrictions due to the Covid-19 crisis meant the organisers were forced to change the route and have the peloton climb up to Sestriere twice.

Kelderman and most of the big guns were dropped in the first ascent to the ski resort as Dennis accelerated, taking Geoghegan Hart and Hindley in his slipstream. The Dutchman was hovering 40 seconds behind at the top and lost even more time on the last ascent, where Hindley attacked repeatedly but failed to drop Geoghegan Hart.

Geoghegan Hart, who could become one of the most unlikely British sporting success stories of the year with victory in Milan, said: "I'm very happy for myself, for my team and for the Giro – today was a beautiful day. Tomorrow's time trial will be a matter of legs, the route is short, I hope to have a good day and a bit of luck, then we will see."

Hindley said: "Incredible, I have no words. From an early age I dreamed of wearing the Maglia Rosa, it's a huge honour for me and I still don't believe it. Tomorrow I'll give my best in ITT."