French rider Alaphilippe wins Tour of Britain
Julian Alaphilippe wrapped up overall victory in the Tour of Britain on Sunday.
LONDON (AFP) - France s Julian Alaphilippe wrapped up overall victory in the Tour of Britain on Sunday as Australia s Caleb Ewan won the final stage in London.
As expected, the 77-kilometre eighth and final stage finished in a bunch sprint, with Ewan winning ahead of Fernando Gaviria and Andre Greipel.
Alaphilippe protected his 17-second lead and completed victory ahead of Dutch rider Wout Poels and Slovenia s Primoz Roglic.
Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas was 36th and four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome was 85th after both played team roles.
"It was a pleasure to race here. I d love to come back here in the future," said Froome, riding in his first Tour of Britain since 2009.
Both Froome, who won the Giro d Italia in May, and Thomas will miss this month s road world championships in Austria.
The 32-year-old Thomas, who on Sunday signed a new three-year contract with Team Sky, said: "Physically and mentally I am not ready for it. I was suffering like a dog for an hour and a half (today)."
