France’s Romain Gregoire secured the Tour of Britain title on Sunday, finishing just two seconds ahead of Olympic road race champion Remco Evenepoel.
The 22-year-old, riding for Groupama-FDJ, had moved into the lead with a stage win on Friday. He placed 13th on the final day between Newport and Cardiff, but with Evenepoel crossing the line in 24th, his narrow advantage was enough.
“It is crazy and I am really happy,” Gregoire said. “It was really close this morning and I was nervous. To win a stage race like this is something rare in your career.”
Compatriot Julian Alaphilippe claimed third overall, while Oscar Onley finished fourth to end as the best-placed Briton.
Final Stage Sprint
The last stage covered 112km, the shortest of the race, and included the climb of Caerphilly Mountain before a sprint into Cardiff.
Dutch rider Olav Kooij of Team Visma beat Britain’s Samuel Watson and Fred Wright to take the win.
Thomas Says Goodbye
The day also marked the retirement of Geraint Thomas, who ended his career on home roads.
The stage started at the Newport Velodrome, named after him, passed his boyhood club Maindy Flyers, and finished in Cardiff. Thomas rolled in 62nd, but the result mattered little as fans lined the route to salute one of Wales’s greatest sportsmen.
“I was emotional crossing the line, I was almost choking up,” Thomas said. “It’s definitely emotional to finish here. It’s just unbelievable — a full circle moment.”
Thomas, 39, won Olympic track gold medals in 2008 and 2012, Commonwealth gold in 2014 and became Britain’s third Tour de France winner in 2018. His palmarès places him among the most decorated riders of his generation.
What Next?
Thomas has hinted at staying involved in the sport but said for now he is focused on life away from racing.
“I’ve got to take the little one to school on Tuesday and then I’ve got my brother’s stag do in Portugal,” he said. “A little bit of normality.”
Stage Six Top 5
- Olav Kooij (NED/Team Visma) 2:28:19
- Samuel Watson (GBR/Ineos Grenadiers) same time
- Fred Wright (GBR/Bahrain Victorious) same time
- Edoardo Zambanini (ITA/Bahrain Victorious) same time
- Noa Isidore (FRA/Decathlon AG2R) same time
Final General Classification
- Romain Gregoire (FRA/Groupama-FDJ) 19:31:23
- Remco Evenepoel (BEL/Soudal Quick-Step) +2s
- Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/Tudor Pro Cycling) +4s
- Oscar Onley (GBR/Team Picnic PostNL) +8s
- Aurelien Paret-Peintre (FRA/Decathlon AG2R) +12s
