AUSTRALIA’S Damien Howson held on to his overall lead to win the Herald Sun cycle tour yesterday, repelling the challenge of three-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome.

    Britain’s Ian Stannard won yesterday’s fourth and final stage over 121 kilometers, just north of Melbourne, outlasting New Zealand’s Aaron Gate, with Howson finishing close enough behind to retain his 38 second overall lead.

    “It’s a big sigh of relief now,” Howson said. “It’s been an amazing week and to finish it off the way we did, I couldn’t be happier.”

    Froome, riding for Britain’s Team Sky, started the last stage more than a minute behind Howson but was unable to make up any time despite launching a late challenge, which Howson and his Orica-Scott teammates covered.

    Both riders crossed the line together in the same reduced peloton with Froome finishing the Tour in sixth position overall. (SD-Agencies)