The Women’s Tour cyclists were shown support every stretch of the way today when they tackled one of the most gruelling finales in the race’s history.

And it was reigning Italian road ace Elisa Longo Borghini who endured the 7.2 kilometre climb on the Black Mountain to be crowned this year’s overall queen stage champion.

As a result of the bonus seconds available on the line, Australian rider Grace Brown retained her overall lead for another day, but she goes into Saturday’s final stage level on time with Longo Borghini. Niewiadoma, the 2017 champion, sits just two seconds back.

South Wales Guardian: Grace BrownGrace Brown

“It was very windy up the climb and mostly a head wind but in the end, I just trusted my sprint and I went at 150 to go full gas,” said Longo Borghnini.

"I just wanted to win because I wanted to pay off all the teamwork that my team did. We were really committed from the very beginning of the race.

“At the moment I want to relax and enjoy the victory, and then tomorrow is tomorrow. We think about it tomorrow.”

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Top Brit on stage five was CAMS – Basso rider Becky Storrie, who finished ninth on the Black Mountain at 21 seconds, and as a result moves up to 15th overall and the best British rider in the Women’s Tour.

Highlights of the fifth stage of the Women’s Tour will be on ITV4 at 8pm on Friday 10 June and available on demand via the ITV Hub.

The final stage of the Women’s Tour takes place in Oxfordshire with a 142.9-kilometre route (88.9-mile) between Chipping Norton and Oxford city centre.

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Stage six is expected to finish in Oxford on St Giles’ at approximately 3pm tomorrow, with live coverage on Eurosport Player and the GCN+ app from 10.55am.