• Tour of Britain, Stage Eight

Cav takes final stage as Tiernan-Locke wins overall

ESPN staff
September 16, 2012
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke is the first British winner of the race in 19 years © PA Photos
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Team Sky target Jonathan Tiernan-Locke clinched Tour of Britain glory on Sunday, while Mark Cavendish took the final stage.

Tiernan-Locke, who Team Sky chief Dave Brailsford has confirmed his interest in acquiring, is the first Briton to win the race in 19 years. He follows in the footsteps of Chris Lillywhite, winner of the Milk Race back in 1993

Endura Racing rider Tiernan-Locke had a lead of 18 seconds to protect going into the final stage, and he succeded in repelling the challengers by finishing in the main bunch.

Cavendish, frustrated at Team Sky at having to play second fiddle to Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, sprinted to victory on the cobbled streets of Guildford.

Cavendish said to ITV4: "The victory feels very nice and the fans have been incredible. The amount of people on the road today was like the Olympic Games. That's been the same all week, come rain or shine.

"I thought people had forgotten about me a little bit - it's been all about [Wiggins'] sideburns this week - but seeing the amount of people in Guildford, I just wanted to win.

"It was my last day in the rainbow jersey and I wanted to finish it off in style. The team rode really hard all day. Breaks were going left, right and centre, but they stayed with me and led me to the line. I'm really happy."

British duo Peter Williams and Kristian House won the sprint and king of the mountains jerseys respectively.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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