London (AFP) – France's Julian Alaphilippe wrapped up overall victory in the Tour of Britain on Sunday as Australia's Caleb Ewan won the final stage in London.

As expected, the 77-kilometre eighth and final stage finished in a bunch sprint, with Ewan winning ahead of Fernando Gaviria and Andre Greipel.

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Alaphilippe protected his 17-second lead and completed victory ahead of Dutch rider Wout Poels and Slovenia's Primoz Roglic.

Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas was 36th and four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome was 85th after both played team roles.

"It was a pleasure to race here. I'd love to come back here in the future," said Froome, riding in his first Tour of Britain since 2009.

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Both Froome, who won the Giro d'Italia in May, and Thomas will miss this month's road world championships in Austria.

The 32-year-old Thomas, who on Sunday signed a new three-year contract with Team Sky, said: "Physically and mentally I am not ready for it. I was suffering like a dog for an hour and a half (today)."

Stage 8 result

1. Caleb Ewan 1hr 38min 33sec (AUS/MTS), 2. Fernando Gaviria (COL/QST) same time, 3. Andre Greipel (GER/LTS) s.t., 4. Andrea Pasqualon (ITA/WGG) s.t., 5. Ethan Hayter (GBR) s.t.

Final general classification

1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/QST) 26hr 25min 58sec, 2. Wout Poels (NED/SKY) at 17sec, 3. Primoz Roglic (SVN/TLJ) 33, 4. Patrick Bevin (NZL/BMC) 42 , 5. Bob Jungels (LUX/QST) 51