Wellens wins as thousands turn out to see Tour of Britain in Lincolnshire

Thousands of people turned out in Lincolnshire last week to see cycling's Tour of Britain, which brings the world’s top professional teams and riders to our shores.

Stage one was in Lincoln while, a day later, stage two took the riders from Boston to Skegness.

Tim Merlier salutes the Skegness crowd after his win. Photo by D.R. Dawson Photography.

placeholder image — Tim Merlier salutes the Skegness crowd after his win. Photo by D.R. Dawson Photography.

The Tour moved on to East Yorkshire from Hull to Beverley on Friday, with stage four on Saturday from Hemsley to Leyburn in North Yorkshire before Sunday's finish in the Scottish borders at Earlston.

Belgium's Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) clinched the title in the end after Nils Politt had won stage five.

Tim Lerlier wins the sprint to the line on Skegness seafront. Photo by D.R.Dawson Photography.

Wellens began the final day with a 21-second lead over Great Britain's Lewis Askey and extended that to 42 seconds as he finished eighth, 21 seconds behind German rider Politt, on the final stage.

Askey had triumphed in a thrilling finish to Wednesday's opening stage in Lincoln.

It was a gruelling finish up the steep Michaelgate for Askey and the chasing pack.

World gravel racing champion Florian Vermeersch sparked the finish action as he burst away from his rivals before the steep ascent of Michaelgate.

The pack battle through the centre of Lincoln on stage one.

But tiredness quickly caught up with him as Askey powered past him and over the finish line for his first win of the season, first ever Tour of Britain win and third career race victory.

He was cheered home by large crowds packing into Lincoln centre, despite the rain.

Filippo Ganna was second, two seconds down, and Wellens third with an exhausted Vermeersch finally finishing down in seventh.

A day later, Tim Merlier's smart, late move in a chaotic sprint finish saw him victorious in stage two from Boston to Skegness.

Tour riders head for the Skegness finish. Pic by Ryan Thompson, Happy Snapz Photography

But Askey retained the leader's jersey as he extended his lead from nine seconds to 12.

The 181.1km route also took in Revesby, Coningsby, Tattershall, Woodhall Spa, Wragby, Horncastle, Louth, Mablethorpe, Sutton On Sea, Spilsby, Market Rasen and Caistor as the riders produced a magnificent battle for the thousands of spectators en route.

It ended with a spectacular sprint finish on Skegness seafront with renowned sprinter Merlier spotting a gap on the inside alongside the barrier and storming through from fifth to first in 3.53.55 for his 11th win of the season.

Olav Kooij was second and Sam Bennett third.