Stephen Cummings wins Tour of Britain 2016

After safely negotiating the final stage of this year’s Tour of Britain, Steve Cummings could finally smile and relax, knowing he was just the second British rider to win his home event in the past 12 years.

Cummings himself knew what it felt like to just miss out – having finished as runner-up in both 2008 and 2011 – but after taking the overall lead by finishing eighth on stage six, the 35-year-old grimly hung on to ensure he was finally the bride as opposed to the bridesmaid.

“I’m delighted. Finally I can smile and enjoy it,” he said. “It’s been a tough week, it was so close that it wasn’t done until I crossed the line.

“I’d to thank all my team-mates for keeping me out of trouble, and the British public for supporting every day like they have. It’s been a great week.”

Caleb Ewan (Orica-BikeExchange) prevailed in a sprint finish at Piccadilly Circus after a 16-lap in the final stage of the race, outsprinting Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNl-Jumbo) and Jens Debusschere (Lotto Soudal).

Tour of Britain 2016 – stage 8 results (London – London):

1 Caleb Ewan (Orica-BikeExchange)

2:09:24

2 Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNl-Jumbo)

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3 Jens Debusschere (Lotto Soudal)

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4 Boy Van Poppel (Trek-Segafredo)

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5 Elia Viviani (Sky)

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6 André Greipel (Lotto Soudal)

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7 Daniel McLay (Fortuneo – Vital Concept)

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8 Steele Von Hoff (ONE)

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9 Nicola Ruffoni (Bardiani CSF)

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10 Paolo Simion (Bardiani CSF)

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Final general classification:

1 Stephen Cummings (Dimension Data) 31:30:45
2 Rohan Dennis (BMC)

+26”

3 Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin)

+38”

4 Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal)

+1’02”

5 Dylan Van Baarle (Cannondale-Drapac)

+1’21”

6 Nicolas Roche (Sky)

+1’26”

7 Xandro Meurisse (Wanty – Groupe Gobert)

+01’48”

8 Ben Swift (Sky)

+01’52”

9 Julien Vermote (Etixx – Quick-Step)

+02’12”

10 Jacopo Mosca (Trek-Segafredo)

+02’32”