Tour of Britain Cycling: Mark Cavendish takes stage, Tiernan-Locke wins tour

By TOM PILCHER
Published on 17/09/2012 01:37

World road race champion Mark Cavendish warmed up for the defence of his title by winning the final stage of the Tour of Britain yesterday as compatriot Jonathan Tiernan-Locke took the overall honours.

Cavendish produced a trademark sprint on the uphill finish in Guildford to rack up his third stage victory of the tour ahead 
of this Sunday’s road race in 
Holland.

Tiernan-Locke, who will join forces with Cavendish and Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins in the nine-man British team in Limburg, held on to his overnight lead of 18 seconds.

“It’s fantastic. It was a tough day, a lot tougher than we thought, so I feel relief more than anything,” said Tiernan-Locke who rides for West Lothian-based Endura Racing.

Nathan Haas of Australia was second overall and Damiano 
Caruso third.

After becoming the first home winner of the Tour of Britain in 19 years Tiernan-Locke was already looking forward to helping Cavendish retain his world title.

“Whatever role I’m given I’m confident I can do a good job. The success of British cyclists has been a real inspiration,” said Tiernan-Locke.

Meanwhile, Omega Pharma-Quick Step won the men’s team time-trial yesterday, a new event at the cycling world championships. The Belgian six-man team completed the 53.2-km race in one hour three minutes 17 seconds. BMC finished 3.16 seconds behind for silver. Team Sky were ninth.