The final stage of the best ever Tour of Britain brought Westminster to a standstill yesterday as thousands of cycling fans cheered themselves hoarse. With Mark Cavendish leaving the Vuelta early and joining the Tour of Britain, it gave Brits a lot to cheer about as he took the final stage in a touchy bunch sprint on a wet and greasy road.
A Full Day of Racing on the Last Stage of the Tour of Britain
The final stage, divided into two separate races, treated fans to both an individual time trial in the morning and a circuit race or criterium in the afternoon using the same route for both. The circuit, starting at Whitehall, passing Trafalgar Square, onto the Embankment, along to the Tower of London, back past the Houses of Parliament and finishing by the Cenotaph, was a route stuffed full of iconic sights.
The Individual Time Trial - Alex Dowsett Wins the Stage
The individual time trial, over the 8.8 kilometer course, enabled fans to follow their favourites and to see world class cyclists such as Thor Hushovd and Mark Cavendish at their individual best. Alex Dowsett, a great young English rider and time trial specialist, took the stage with Lars Boom, a close second, retaining his overall lead. With Alex posting a blistering time, three riders were eliminated at the end of the stage for being outside the time limit.
Mark Cavendish Thanks British Cycling Fans
With cycling fans crowding the pavement and standing on walls to get a glimpse of the cyclists signing on at the podium for the criterium, Mark Cavendish admitted that this was the best Tour of Britain so far. He thanked the fans for their support and for coming out in their droves every day. He had seen many Manx flags and felt the support of fans all the way round each stage. He had seen the support for the race take a huge leap forward over the past couple of years and was excited for the future of road cycling in Britain.
The Tour of Britain London Circuit Race
With the crowd joining in on the final countdown, the circuit race consisted of ten laps around the same route as the individual time trial. With a two man breakaway until the last lap, the crowd's hope for a bunch sprint finish began to wane. Then, just as the peloton started to reel the breakaway back in and a bunch sprint finish looked likely, a passing rain shower made the final lap wet, greasy and treacherous.
Bunch Sprint on a Treacherous Road - Mark Cavendish Wins
With the World Championships just days away, the elite cyclists could not risk a high speed crash but, despite this, the final straight up to the Cenotaph finish enabled Mark Cavendish to come through in the last few metres to make the ultimate crowd pleasing end to a fantastic day. The cheers and screams of the crowd being the confirmation that the right man had won thanks to the work of his leadout man Mark Renshaw who deservedly took second place.
Lars Boom Wins the Overall
For the first time since the Tour of Britain was reinstated, a Dutchman has won the overall race. Obviously thrilled, Lars threw his flowers into the crowd and then sprayed champagne over the podium girls and crowd. Lars has praised the British tour. Never having been to Britain before he has been surprised and pleased by the loud and enthusiastic support of the spectators as well as praising the beautiful countryside.
A Fantastic Tour for British Riders
With the Manx Missile Mark Cavendish taking the stage, Welsh Geraint Thomas taking the points jersey and Devon's Jonathan Tiernan Locke taking the King of the Mountains jersey as well as Alex Dowsett winning the time trial, it was a fantastic day for British riders. They were kind enough to share with Belgian Pieter Ghyllebert who took the sprint jersey! All the tour results can be found on the official Tour of Britain website.
Frances Williams - Frances is an Autism specialist with post graduate qualifications but has had to take a career break. She is now a freelance writer. ...
Join the Conversation