Serge Pauwels (Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka) broke clear with his team-mate Omar Fraile towards the end of today’s final stage of the Tour de Yorkshire, with Pauwels taking the stage win and overall title in Stocksbridge.
The organisers put a figure of one million spectators who watched the action unfold on the 194.5km route from Bradford to Fox Valley, Sheffield. Each of the day’s eight categorised climbs were packed with masses of cheering, colourful and enthusiastic fans and the parcours was also lined with incredible, eye-catching land art as pictures of Yorkshire were beamed to a record 180 countries globally.
Spectators were treated to exciting action as well with Pauwels breaking clear on the tough concluding loop and he was joined by Fraile before the race concluded in Stocksbridge.
The duo then pressed home their advantage with Pauwels leading Fraile over the finish line to seal the biggest victory of his career and a 1-2 for his team who also topped the Doncaster Sheffield Airport and FlyBe Team Classification. Jonathan Hivert (Direct Énergie) rounded out the podium six seconds later.
Those same three riders also claimed the top three positions on the General Classification with Pauwels taking the blue leader’s jersey sponsored by Welcome to Yorkshire. Australian Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott) won the Yorkshire Bank Points Classification, Dutchman Pieter Weening (Roompot–Nederlandse Loterij) sealed the Virgin Trains King of the Mountain prize, and fans on Twitter voted Dexter Gardias (Bike Channel Canyon) the Most Aggressive Rider sponsored by Dimension Data.
Stage and race winner Serge Pauwels said: “I’ve cycled all around the world and my favourite three crowds are for the Classics in Belgium, those in the Basque Country, and here in Yorkshire.
“The support today was incredible. Over the winter my team wanted me to take part in the Tour de Romandie to warm up for the Tour de France but I said no, I want to do the Tour of Yorkshire.
“I can’t believe I’ve won here. This is my first professional victory and I am a little surprised with myself because usually I prefer longer climbs. Today’s stage lent itself to a really explosive rider and there were no moments of respite.
“Today’s stage was comparable to Liège-Bastogne-Liège but with perhaps even more people on the roadside.”
Brief Stage Result:
1 Serge Pauwels (Bel) Dimension Data 4:57:47
2 Omar Fraile (Spa) Dimension Data
3 Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Direct Energie 0:00:06
4 Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team
5 Tao Geoghegan Hart (GBr) Team Sky 0:00:08
6 Maurits Lammertink (Ned) Katusha-Alpecin
7 Matthew Holmes (GBr) Madison Genesis
8 Mark Christian (GBr) Aqua Blue Sport
9 Lennard Hofstede (Ned) Team Sunweb
10 Joey Rosskopf (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:00:23
Final Standings
1 Serge Pauwels (Bel) Dimension Data 11:53:04
2 Omar Fraile (Spa) Dimension Data 0:00:06
3 Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Direct Energie 0:00:07
4 Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:00:18
5 Matthew Holmes (GBr) Madison Genesis 0:00:20
6 Maurits Lammertink (Ned) Katusha-Alpecin
7 Mark Christian (GBr) Aqua Blue Sport
8 Tao Geoghegan Hart (GBr) Team Sky
9 Lennard Hofstede (Ned) Team Sunweb
10 Joey Rosskopf (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:00:35
