Brilliant Elisa Longo-Borghini snatches Women's Tour victory on the line, Lorena Wiebes wins her third stage of the week

A third place stage finish delivered Elisa Longo-Borghini (Trek Segafredo) the four bonus seconds she needed to secure her first Women’s Tour by a single second. No-one could match the acceleration of Lorena Wiebes (Team DSM) at the finish, as the Dutchwoman won for the third time this week. But it was the tactical superiority and leg speed of the Italian that made the difference in the battle for the overall title.

Ad/> Borghini took to the front ahead of the twisting run-in, stringing out the peloton, forcing gaps and isolating the yellow jersey. Even if she was not the fastest flat-out, it meant she was far enough up that she could afford to lose a few places and still emerge as the champion. In what she may later view as a tactical blunder, Clara Copponi (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine), came through for second place.

Another impressive individual result will surely be overshadowed on the team bus by the failure to keep team-mate Brown at the front of the race. /> Women’s Tour cycling'Phenomenal sprint!' — Longa Borghini moves into lead with brilliant finishAN HOUR AGO As they began the final stage, taking the scenic route from Chipping Norton to Oxford, just two seconds separated the top three riders. Elisa Longo Borghini and Grace Brown were tied on time for first place, with Brown in the yellow leader’s jersey by virtue of her superior stage finishes across the week.

Such small differences meant bonuses were always bound to be decisive. The first three waypoints coming early in the stage ensured the general classification teams maintained a tight grip on proceedings. The first categorised climb went to Australian Georgia Williams (BikeExchange — Jayco).