Tom Boonen edges victory in RideLondon-Surrey Classic sprint finish

It was Great Britain's Geraint Thomas who led the pack after breaking away from the bunch on Box Hill, with last week's Tour de France winner and Thomas' Sky team-mate Chris Froome riding behind in the peloton.

Thomas continued to lead in the closing stages of the race, enjoying a head-start of as much as a minute with 30 kilometers to go, although looked to be in some pain as the race took its toll.

But it was no good, and despite the help of team-mate Ian Stannard, Thomas was caught within five kilometres of the finish by Sonny Colbrelli, who himself was swallowed by the bunch as they approached Admiralty Arch.

A bunch sprint finish ensued with Boonen emerging to just edge the sprint ahead of Australia's Mark Henshaw and Michael Matthews

Speaking to the BBC after the event, Thomas said: "I wanted to get rid of a few people at Box Hill and I ended up on my own.

"I had to bite the bullet and try and go. I could have done with just someone with me to try and give me a breather.

"If maybe I'd stayed with the group a bit longer I might have had more of a chance but it's great to ride here in Britain."

1. Tom Boonen Etix-Quick Step 4hr43'56"

2. Mark Renshaw Team Dimension Data +00:00

3. Michael Matthews Orica-Bikeexchange +00:00

4. Jens Debusschere Lotto Soudal +00:00

5. Jaroslaw Marycz CCC Sprandi Polkowice +00:00

6. Paolo Simion Bardiani CSF +00:00

7. Floris Gerts BMC Racing Team +00:00

8. Tobyn Horton Madison Genesis +00:00

9. Steele Von Hoff One Pro Cycling +00:00

10. Mark McNally Wanty - Groupe Gobert +00:00