Tom Dumoulin welcomed with huge celebration in Maastricht after Giro d'Italia victory

Tom Dumoulin celebrated his maiden Grand Tour victory in his hometown's main square in Maastricht in the Netherlands. Flooded with pink confetti the Team Sunweb rider was honoured by the city as they spared no expense.

Still only 26-years-old, the rider showed when dealing with such an enormous fanfare. "I felt very uncomfortable with so many people, but I thought it was super cool" he said, "this is a day I'm never going to forget" Nu Sport reported.

Being the first Grand Tour winner in 37 years in a country that loves cycling is going to bring its fair share of attention but when asked how he would deal with it he deferred. "Maybe I should just ask Tom Boonen for a few tips" he said.

It was inevitable that he was asked about that incident at the bottom of the Stelvio but in his characteristic way he replied: "You know what I wondered? How many times am I going to wipe? Or not to wipe? No, that'd be too far" as reported in Het Nieuwsblad.

After being 53 seconds down on Nairo Quintana on the final day, Dumoulin produced a superb ride to catapult him just 31 seconds into the lead and to take the Giro.

It wasn't just him who was celebrating that day though with fellow compatriot Jos van Emden taking the stage win ahead of Dumoulin.

"It was a great day for Dutch cycling," Dumoulin said. "Not only me but also for Jos."

In the midst of the celebration, Dumoulin was appointed Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau which is the Dutch equivalent of OBE in the UK.

The celebratory feelings will be short lived for Dumoulin though as he prepares for the Tour de Suisse that will start on June 11.