André Greipel, a strong contender for the UCI Road World Championships in Australia in two weeks time, has claimed his third win on the Tour of Britain in London on Saturday as HTC-Columbia, the team that can’t stop winning, also took the overall general classification honours through Michael Albasini

It was a stunning achievement by the American based team who lost two key members to sickness earlier in the week yet continued to contest both the general and points classification.

Greipel, all power and pace and considered second only to Mark Cavendish in terms of pure speed, was always favourite to win on the short sharp 100-kilometre eight-lap circuit around east London's Docklands which brought the curtain down on the toughest and best Tour of Britain since it was reconstituted in 2004.

Greipel won the eighth and final stage of Britain’s national tour by the Royal Albert Dock, pipping Saxo Bank’s Lucas Sebastian Haedo into second place. Britain’s Roger Hammond – racing for Cevelo – was third.

Holland’s Johnny Hoogerland of Vancansoleil secured the mountains classification jersey while his Polish team-mate, Michael Golas, won the points classification competition.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Romero is poised to make her first competitive appearance on a track since she won her gold medal at the Beijing Olympics when she lines up for the Orbea team in the women's team pursuit at the National Track Championships in Manchester next week.

Romero had considered a switch to time-trialling on the road but is now fully committed to the track programme again and will be looking for an immediate return to top form with European and World Championships looming this season.

www.telegraph.co.uk



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