Edvald Boasson Hagen claims Tour of Britain as Andre Greipel stripped of stage win

Boasson Hagen, who previously won the event in 2009, held a 13-second lead over Team Sky’s Wouter Poels heading into the final stage, which consisted of a 14-lap run around central London. And the MTN-Qhubeka rider never looked in serious danger of squandering that advantage, holding Poels at arms’ length throughout to finish fourth on the day and clinch overall victory.

In the process he became the first two-time winner of the event since its return to professional cycling in 2004.

There was also British presence on the podium, as Owain Doull of GB/Team Wiggins edged out Rasmus Guldhammer by a single second to clinch third – 42 seconds behind Boasson Hagen. Doull also clinched the points jersey in a successful week for Bradley Wiggins' protege.

While there never looked like being major changes to the general classification, there was some controversy around the final sprint finish of the Tour.

Lotto-Soudal rider Andre Greipel crossed the line first as he muscled past his rivals down Regent Street but, after his approach was reviewed by the judges, the stage victory was eventually awarded to Team Sky’s Elia Viviani.

Greipel seemed to move from his line during the sprint, obstructing Viviani and preventing the Italian from having any chance of overhauling him as the two went elbow to elbow. Greipel's relegation - preventing him from claiming back-to-back stage wins - handed the honours to Viviani.

"I didn’t see Viviani coming; I was just concentrating on my sprint and suddenly he was next to me," Greipel said. "I didn’t do anything for purpose that’s for sure. That’s sprinting.”

1. Elia Viviani (Ita) Team Sky 1:50:16

2. Juan Jose Lobato (Esp) Movistar

3. Matteo Trentin (Ita) Etixx-Quick Step

4. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) MTN - Qhubeka

5. Jens Debusschere (Bel) Lotto - Soudal

6. Sondre Holst Enger (Nor) IAM Cycling

7. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Etixx-Quick Step

8. Graham Briggs (Gbr) JLT Condor

9. Ruben Zepunkte (Ger) Cannondale-Garmin

10. Owain Doull (Gbr) Team Wiggins

1. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) MTN - Qhubeka 34:52:52

2. Wouter Poels (Ned) Team Sky +13"

3. Owain Doull (GBr) Team WIGGINS +42"

4. Rasmus Guldhammer Pedersen (Den) Cult Energy Pro Cycling +43"

5. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Etixx - Quick Step +51"