“This victory is for my grandpa, he passed away some weeks ago" - Nils Politt emotional after winning final Tour of Britain stage
Cycling
Tim Wellens claimed the overall victory at the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Men on Sunday, completing a successful debut at the race after UAE Team Emirates - XRG delivered another commanding display.
The Belgian had moved into the lead on the previous stage in North Yorkshire, but his team showed no signs of easing off during the final day.
Instead, UAE controlled the decisive moments and turned the stage into a double celebration when Nils Politt powered clear to take the win in Earlston.
For Politt, the victory carried a much deeper meaning. The German dedicated his first win of the week to his grandfather, who died several weeks earlier, after UAE had spent much of the stage putting its riders in position to control the race.
Wellens won the GC of the Tour of Britain 2026
UAE turns the final stage into a team showcase
The stage began in Earlston with a guard of honour for Ben Swift, who was racing his final Tour of Britain before retirement. Once the racing got underway, Michal Schuran immediately took advantage of the opportunity to strengthen his grip on the King of the Mountains competition.
The Czech rider joined Ben Wiggins, Jonah Killy and Marcus Sander in the day's breakaway, with the group building enough of an advantage to contest the early climbs. Schuran duly collected maximum points at Redstone Rig and Duddy Bank, putting the KOM classification beyond reach before the race reached its decisive phase.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG then transformed the race at Duddy Bank. Five riders moved to the front of the peloton, including both Wellens and Politt, and their acceleration caused the bunch to fracture on the climb.
The pressure continued over Hardens Hill, where the breakaway was finally swept up and a much smaller group formed. UAE had strength in numbers, with almost the entire team present, while Filippo Ganna and Connor Swift represented Netcompany INEOS. Wiggins and Sander also managed to remain in contention after their earlier escape.
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Politt delivers when it matters most
With just over seven kilometres remaining, UAE used its numerical advantage to launch Politt. The German immediately opened a significant gap and quickly established a lead of around 30 seconds.
Nobody could bring him back, as Politt soloed to the finish in Earlston to claim an emotional victory, pointing towards the sky as he crossed the line in memory of his grandfather.
“I have to thank the boys for an amazing week and amazing day for me. This victory is for my grandpa, he passed away some weeks ago so I need to give him something,” Politt said in a post-race interview. “It was a team effort and it was a victory for the team today.”
Behind him, UAE's work was complete. Wellens secured the overall title on his first appearance at the Tour of Britain, while Lewis Askey retained second place overall and finished as the best British rider. Jasper Stuyven moved into third after benefiting from the decisive splits, overtaking Matteo Trentin.
Elliot Rowe finished the week as the best young rider, while his Great Britain Cycling Team teammate Wiggins was named the most combative rider on the final stage.
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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