Chris Froome Wins Jayco Sun Herald Tour

Last updated : 07 February 2016 By CNS Sport

Chris Froome has won the 2016 Jayco Sun Herald Tour.

The final stage started and finished at Arthurs Seat and included three climbs of one of the most famous climbs in Australia.

This 121.8km stage which had Team Sky's Peter Kennaugh in the lead with Chris Froome in second place, started quickly but soon saw the early attempts to break dealt with.

Caleb Ewan, Beppu, Pat Shaw and Ben Hill did manage to slip away after twenty four kilometres and they got 1.22 ahead.

Hill took the first sprint and Beppu the second after 61.7kms as their lead steadied at 1.04.

On to Arthurs Seat for the first time and the escapers had been caught and Team Sky were on the front with race leader Peter Kennaugh flanked by Jack Bobridge.

Out came Chris Froome to take the climb and he put in another attack to take the second climb after 105.7kms.

Froome and Joe Cooper opened up a forty second lead before the two times Tour De France winner went solo with three kilometres to go.

Clarke and Howson tried to follow but they had no chance and Chris Froome took the win in 2:58:44 ahead of Howson of Orica GreenEdge who finished seventeen seconds later and Clarke who finished 21 seconds later.

With Peter Kennaugh coming home with the peloton, Froome's victory gave him the race overall and the King of the Mountains jersey.

Froome said to the Team Sky Press Office: "It's an amazing feeling. I put in a lot of hard yards this winter, which obviously hasn't been easy with a new family starting and everything back home. A massive thank you to my family for giving me the support I need to do this job.

"Also a massive thank you to the team. They gave me the all clear today, second time up Arthurs Seat. There was a little bit of an attack and I went for the King of the Mountain points and sat on the Avanti rider who attacked. The guys behind said "you're in a perfect place to win the stage, go for it Froomey."

Froome was quick to pay tribute to Kennaugh who led for much of the race, saying:. "He's an amazing rider. "He's started the season off really well, winning Cadel's race. He had a good day today but he also gave me the all clear from behind. Massive thanks to Pete for doing that."