Italy's Nibali, who currently rides for Astana Qazaqstan Team, is one of only seven cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours, but the 37-year-old is set to end his career this year.

"It’s a difficult day for me and for my family," Nibali told Italian public broadcaster RAI after completing the fifth stage in his hometown Messina.

"I’ve been waiting for this stage for a long time.

"It’s my city and it’s where it all started for me.

"This will be my last Giro and I want to share that with everyone."

Nibali has won the Giro twice - in 2013 and 2016 - following on from his Vuelta a España success in 2010.

His Tour de France triumph came in 2014.

Nibali placed 34^th in the sprint finish, which was won by Démare for Groupama-FDJ in 4 hours 3min 56sec.

Colombia's Fernando Gaviria of UAE Team Emirates came through in second, with Italian rider Giacomo Nizzolo of Israel-Premier Tech third.

The well-fancied Mark Cavendish of Britain and Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl and Caleb Ewan of Australia and Lotto-Soudal were both dropped.

Overall leader Juan Pedro López of Spain and Trek-Segafredo finished 58^th in Messina, maintaining his 39sec lead over Germany and Bora-Hansgrohe's Lennard Kämna, with Estonia's Rein Taaramäe of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux in third, 58sec off the pace.

Today's stage of 174 kilometres ran from Catania to Messina.

The sixth stage from Palmi to Scalea is scheduled for tomorrow.