Tour de Yorkshire - Chris Lawless wins race as Greg Van Avermaet claims victory into Leeds

Twenty-four hours after being 'gutted' to finish second in Scarborough, Wigan's Chris Lawless was elated to come home as runner-up as it ensured he became the first British winner of the Tour de Yorkshire.
By Nick Westby
Published 5th May 2019, 17:32 BST
Updated 5th May 2019, 19:36 BST
Greg Van Avermaet claims victory on stage four into Leeds, ahead of overall winner Chris Lawless.Greg Van Avermaet claims victory on stage four into Leeds, ahead of overall winner Chris Lawless.
Greg Van Avermaet claims victory on stage four into Leeds, ahead of overall winner Chris Lawless.

The 23-year-old sprinter claimed victory after coming home second for the second time this weekend, and again at the end of a bruising day of racing.

He was beaten to the line by defending champion and Olympic gold medallist Greg Van Avermaet of CCC, who added to the overall win in 2018 with a first stage win at the race.

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On a thrilling final stage from Halifax to Leeds, World Tour heavyweights Chris Froome and Van Avermaet traded blows on Otley Chevin as their respective teams Ineos and CCC jostled for the overall victory.

Team Ineos lead the peloton through Barden Tower in Wharfedale on the fourth stage of the Tour de Yorkshire.Team Ineos lead the peloton through Barden Tower in Wharfedale on the fourth stage of the Tour de Yorkshire.
Team Ineos lead the peloton through Barden Tower in Wharfedale on the fourth stage of the Tour de Yorkshire.

Then Van Avermaet launched his bid for a second successive victory from 6km out but found himself sandwiched by the young Ineos duo of Eddie Dunbar and Lawless.

Van Avermaet won the stage but overall honours and the blue jersey at the end of a thrilling 'Yorkshire Terrier' stage.

"For a start for Ineos, we couldn't have asked for much more," said Chris Froome, who served as a domestique for his younger team-mates, Dunbar and Lawless.

Lawless said: “To have my first GC win at a home race is unbelievable.“I never expected to be that far up on GC, let alone win it. I surprised myself and I’m a little shellshocked.”

Related topics:WiganScarboroughLeedsIneos