Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish were the star attractions in last week’s Tour of Britain, but they were beaten to one of the top prizes by a rider from Rylstone.

Twenty-five-year old Pete Williams won the sprint title after getting himself in a four-man break on the final stage.

He won the day’s three intermediate sprints to pick up nine points and finished on 45, almost twice as many as the second-placed rider, his Node 4 Giordana team-mate Marcin Bialoblocki.

Williams, who has been a professional for five years, said: “I am very pleased to have won the sprint category. We don’t have many big road races in Britain and it was pleasing to do so well.

“The crowds that turned out this year were absolutely amazing. I am sure that was due to the excitement caused by the Olympics and the fact that both Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish were riding.

“The noise on the final stage as we rode a circuit of Guildford was something else. It was great for all of us riders to have such support.”

Williams, who was born in Southport and graduated with a degree in phsyiotherapy from York University, has lived in Rylstone for a year.

He loves to train in the Yorkshire Dales with his two rivals from the Endura team, Scott Thwaites of Burley-in-Wharfedale and Barnolds- wick’s Ian Wilkinson.and hopes that Yorkshire’s bid to host a stage of the Tour de France is successful.

“This is a great area for competitive cycling with lovely scenery too. I think it would really pull in the crowds if Yorkshire succeeds with its bid.”

Williams, who has still to sign a contract for next year, says he is looking at his options, but armed with his Tour of Britain success, can expect the offers to arrive.

“He said: “I love being a professional cyclist. The longer I can keep doing it delays the day when I have to do a proper job. I have thoroughly enjoyed the past five years.”

Williams, who secured his first professional contract while in his final year at university, will next be in action later this month in the National Track Championships.

He is going to tackle the points race and the scratch race.

He added: “It is a bit of fun at the end of the season. I don’t have any expectations, but it is something I want to do.”