Bradley Wiggins turns thoughts to Rio after abandoning 2016 Tour de Yorkshire

Wiggins, riding as part of his build-up to the 2016 Olympics where he is aiming to compete for Team GB on the track – pulled out roughly 26km from the finish after feeling the effects of being caught up in a crash outside Beverley.

Fellow Team Wiggins rider Scott Davies was also the victim of a crash as JLT Condor's Christopher Lawless finished as the top Brit and ONE Pro Cycling's Pete Williams claimed the King of the Mountains lead.

The peloton reeled in an initial six-man breakaway, featuring Williams, and despite a last-ditch attack from Steve Cummings in the final kilometres, the stage ended in a sprint.

“Great atmosphere in Yorkshire," said Wiggins. “It was a tough day's racing so thanks to everyone who braved the weather and came out to support. The boys and I really appreciate it.

"I'm gutted not to join you into the weekend but Rio needs to take priority. Good luck to everyone over the weekend."

Lotto NL Jumbo rider Groenewegen edged out Australia's Caleb Ewan in the bunch sprint to take the overall lead and head the Yorkshire Bank best sprinter standings.

Saturday's 136.5km stage two, from Otley to Doncaster, is also likely to end in a sprint and the Dutchman is looking for further success in the second edition of the race.

Cummings' solo effort in the closing kilometres was reminiscent of his win in Tirreno-Adriatico earlier this year and the stage he won into Mende in last year's Tour de France.

The Dimension Data rider could not hold on for the win this time though.

He said: “It is nice to try but difficult to break the sprinters trains.

“It is always worth a try and probably more often than not they don't work, but every now and again they do so you've got to keep trying."