Team Sky’s Ian Stannard soloed to a stunning victory in Knutsford on stage three of the 2016 Tour of Britain.
The Briton attacked One Pro Cycling’s Kristian House and JLT Condor’s Graham Briggs in the three-man break with 35km remaining and powered away to the win.
The trio had built a lead of six minutes and 40 seconds at the crest of the Cat and Fiddle before Stannard burst away on his own with the gap going as high as seven minutes and 30 seconds.
He seals the deal by crossing the line, what a ride by @TeamSky @IStannard #tob2016 pic.twitter.com/0vhOiStl6P
— Tour of Britain(@TourofBritain) September 6, 2016
Having started the stage 13 minutes and 13 seconds down on general classification leader Julien Vermote, Stannard did not take the leader’s yellow jersey.
JLT Condor’s Graham Briggs was second and One Pro Cycling’s Kristian House third to complete a British one-two-three.
"It was a pretty big day today on home roads so I was motivated and keen to get away," Stannard said.
"It's always nice to win from a breakaway. There's some really awesome crowds out there today and it's really fantastic to see people getting behind the race."
Ollie Wood was Great Britain Cycling Team's highest finisher in 15th.
Listen to what @IStannard had to say immediately after victory in his 'home' Stage today! @TeamSky #ToB2016 pic.twitter.com/u5CyPpgtoR
— Tour of Britain (@TourofBritain) September 6, 2016
The break lasts the day
Stannard, Briggs, House and Madison Genesis’ Matt Cronshaw attacked instantly on the 182.7km stage and the peloton would not see the quartet again.
Within 14km the group had over four minutes on the bunch and by 60km the gap had grown to nearly seven minutes.
Cronshaw was dropped by the leaders with around 70km remaining as House scooped up maximum points on all three Skoda King of the Mountains.
It was then left to Stannard to choose his moment and claim a popular victory.
