Istanbul - Young Briton Adam Yates has won the Tour of Turkey after compatriot Mark Cavendish claimed victory on Sunday's eighth and final stage around Istanbul.
The 21-year-old Orica-GreenEDGE rider claimed his first major professional victory with Estonia's Rein Taaramae finishing second, five seconds adrift, and Frenchman Romain Hardy third at 39sec.
For Cavendish, it was his fourth stage victory of the race, having reigned supreme earlier in the week before Italian Elia Viviani beat him in sprint finishes on the fifth and seventh stages.
But this time, the Omega-Pharma rider -- a former world champion and 25-time stage winner in the Tour de France -- beat Viviani into second in the final 121km stage, with another Italian, Andrea Guardini third.
Yates had worn the leader's blue jersey since winning the hilly sixth stage on Friday, taking it from previous incumbent Taaramae.
Results:
1. Mark Cavendish (GBR/Omega) 2hr 35min 00sec, 2. Elia Viviani (ITA/Cannondale) same time, 3. Andrea Guardini (ITA/Astana) s.t., 4. Kris Boeckmans (BEL/LTB) s.t., 5. Greg Henderson (NZL/LTB) s.t.
Final standings:
1. Adam Yates (GBR/Orica) 30h26:22, 2. Rein Taaramae (EST/Cofidis) at 5sec, 3. Romain Hardy (FRA/Cofidis) 39, 4. Davide Formolo (ITA/Cannondale) 40, 5. Davide Rebellin (ITA/CCC Polsat) 44