Chris Lawless became the first British winner of the Tour de Yorkshire after defending champion Greg Van Avermaet won an enthralling final stage in Leeds.
No less than 800,000 spectators witnessed a gripping conclusion on Sunday, taking the overall roadside attendance to just under two million (1,960,000) over the four days of action.
Van Avermaet (CCC Team) forged clear with Lawless and his Team Ineos team-mate Eddie Dunbar as the 175km trek from Halifax neared its conclusion, and while it was Van Avermaet who sprinted to victory along The Headrow, Lawless came home in second to seal the biggest overall race win of his fledgling career.
The result saw Lawless wrap up the blue jersey with a two-second cushion over Van Avermaet. Dunbar meanwhile, rounded off the final podium, nine seconds further adrift, and that performance helped Team Ineos win the team classification.
Lawless also topped the best sprinter classification, while Frenchman Arnaud Courteille (Vital Concept – B&B Hotels) claimed the best climber’s jersey. Last but certainly not least, Lucas Eriksson (Riwal Readynez Cycling Team) was voted the most active rider.
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