The 2016 Tour of Britain reached its conclusion with the final stage taking place in London yesterday. While Caleb Ewan (Orica-BikeExchange) won the final stage from a bunch kick, it was Steve Cummings who won the overall title for Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka.
At just 100km, the 8th and final stage of the Tour of Britain was short and fast but from the gun Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka set about defending Cummings’ yellow jersey by taking up the leading positions in the peloton.
There were a good few attacks early on but eventually it was 4 riders who got a gap on the peloton. Jay Thomson and Johann van Zyl did the early controlling for the African team and kept the break in check.
Cummings was always protected up at the head of the race with Mark Cavendish helping to make sure the yellow jersey was never in difficulty. Bernie Eisel and Mark Renshaw used their experience and strength to help pull back the break just before they reached the final 10kms of the stage.
Cummings had solidified his position at the top of the general classification with an excellent time trial on Saturday and today the title was confirmed when he crossed the line in 17th on the stage.
Steve Cummings – “There was a lot of pressure on me with the team having worked so hard and doing such a good job all week. Also, with Mark Cavendish sacrificing his chances at the Tour of Britain for me, anything other than a win would have been a failure. So there was a lot of pressure but I am glad we managed to pull it off.”
“It is another good win this season for us all, for the team, all our team sponsors and partners, Qhubeka and one I really enjoyed too.”
