Cycling: It got really tight again! Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) won the final stage of the Tour of Britain today. He almost snatched the overall victory from Lars Boom (LottoNL-Jumbo) - if it weren't for his punishment on the second stage would have been.
Lars Boom repeats success from 2011
In the end, Lars Boom cheered. The Dutchman crossed the finish line on the final stage in Cardiff on Sunday with the peloton, which was down to just 35 men. Because of his lead after the time trial, 14th place was enough for him without a time bonus. Edvald Boasson Hagen was able to win the last section, but was eight seconds short of overall victory. If he hadn't been put back on stage two, he would have won the tour by a two-second margin. Of course, the Norwegian knew this before the start of the stage, which is why he launched an attack three kilometers before the finish to try to gain time. He didn't succeed, but he can still be happy about the day's success and second place in the overall ranking.
The winner of Stage 8 in Cardiff is @EBhagen (@TeamDiData)! He attacked in the closing stages to clinch a well-deserved victory! #OVOToB pic.twitter.com/ESiMYnsmV9
— Tour of Britain (@TourofBritain) September 10, 2017
Caleb Ewan with three stage wins
The eight-day Tour of Britain saw seven wins by sprinters and one time trial win by Lars Boom over the course of the week. Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott) alone was able to claim three stages with his victories in Kelso, Scunthorpe and Aldeburgh. Elia Viviani (Sky) was subsequently awarded victory in Blyth. Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) triumphed in Newark-on-Trent and Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo) won at Cheltenham yesterday. The later overall winner Lars Boom (Lotto-NL Jumbo) secured the decisive time trial in Tendring. There he was 30 seconds faster than Boasson Hagen. The Swiss Stefan Küng (BMC) was fourth, Tony Martin (Katusha-Alpecin) sixth.
OPTION 1: Your 2017 @OVOEnergy Tour of Britain Champion @lars_boom of @LottoJumbo_road ! #OVOToB pic.twitter.com/oiJSYUVkdB
— Tour of Britain (@TourofBritain) September 10, 2017