Swifty reflects

The Anston man, cycling for Team Sky, came fifth in Sunday’s 55-mile stage ‘8b’ in London, and was 55th in the overall general classification.

Guardian photographer Chris Etchells captured this stunning image of Swift, 23, before he set off on the time trial which preceded the final stage.

The time trial covered a 5.5 mile circuit around Whitehall and the Embankment in the morning, and later in the day the riders took on 10 laps of the circuit for a 55 mile ride.

Swift, who sprinted to five stage wins this year and made his Tour de France debut, tweeted: “Well that is the 2011 season finished, can’t help but feel a little deflated that it’s over now.”

The Beijing Olympian and London 2012 hopeful added: “(It’s) been a great year though, roll on 2012.”