 Ardila emerged victorious on the streets of Whitehall |
Colombia's Mauricio Ardila finished in the main pack to clinch victory in the Tour of Britain in central London. The 25-year-old from Medellin triumphed by 12 seconds from New Zealand's Julian Dean with Belgium's Nick Nuyens a further five seconds behind.
Roger Hammond was the best British rider in 12th place, 33 seconds behind the Colombian.
Italy's Enrico Degano won Sunday's final circuit stage around Whitehall and the Thames Embankment.
Ardilla had virtually sealed the win with victory in Saturday's fourth stage and admitted it was the best of his career.
"I've won other races but never a stage race like the Tour of Britain," he said.
"There were a lot of Colombian supporters in London for the final stage and I want to thank all my team-mates for helping me win, I couldn't have done it without them.
"They controlled the final stage and so I was always confident," he added.
Tens of thousands of people packed the one-mile circuit used for the last stage in Whitehall.
British triple Olympic medallist Bradley Wiggins entertained them with a late attack showing the speed which won him three medals on the track in Athens.
He was caught with a lap to go and then Degano made sure he was first through the final corner to win the sprint ahead of New Zealand's Julian Dean and Kirk Obee of the USA.
Stage five result - Westminster - 45 miles
1. Enrico Degano (Ita) Barloworld 1hr 27mins 30secs 2. Julian Dean (Nzl) Credit Agricole at same time
3. Kirk Obee (USA) Navigators st
4. Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step st
5. Jeremy Hunt (Gbr) Mr Bookmakers.com st
6. Ciaran Power (Irl) Navigators st
7. Paride Grillo (Ita) Panario st
8. Alejandro Borrajo (Arg) Panaria st
9. Yanto Baker (Gbr) Wales st
10. Roger Hammond (Gbr) Mr Bookmaker.com st
Overall standings
1. Mauricio Ardila (Col) Chocolade Jacques 18hrs 58mins 36secs
2. Dean at 12secs
3. Nick Nuyens (Bel) Quick Step at 17secs
4. Eric Leblacher (Fra) Credit Agricole at 18secs
5. Fernandez Moreno (Spa) Relax at 19secs
6. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) T-Mobile at 20secs
7. Michele Bartoli (Ita) CSC at 24secs
8. Jose Luis Rubiera (Spa) US Postal Service at same time
9. Kevin Van Impe (Bel) Lotto at 27secs
10. Christopher Baldwin (USA) Navigators at same time
Selected British riders
12. Roger Hammond Mr Bookmaker.com at 33secs
17. Charly Wegelius Great Britain at 40secs
20. Tom Southam Great Britain at 43secs
30. Russel Downing Great Britain at 10mins 21secs
75. Bradley Wiggins Credit Agricole at 24mins 50secs
MMIX
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