Cycling: Henderson wins final stage of Catalunya tour

New Zealand cyclist Greg Henderson took home the sprint victory on Barcelona's famed Formula One circuit to claim the final stage of the Tour of Catalunya this morning (NZtime).

Lloyd Mondory (AG2R La Mondiale) and Fabio Sabatini (Liquigas) rounded out the stage podium, while Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) completed the stage in the main bunch to take the overall victory ahead of Garmin's Dan Martin and Haimar Zubeldia (Astana).

"I didn't know what the last kilometre was like but it turned out the finish was perfect for me, a downhill and then a flat sprint, just like I would do on the track," said Henderson after the 110km stage which he completed in two hours, 26 minutes, 51 seconds.

Henderson, riding for Columbia High Road, had finished third in yesterday's stage behind Norwegian Thor Hushovd of the Cervelo Test Team and Sabatini.

"Yesterday I had the power but hit the front way too early, and today I finally hit it perfectly, and was lucky enough to hold everybody off.

"Today I started out with about 250 metres to go, because I was so far back, about fifth or sixth wheel when the sprint started."

The podium finishes on the final two stages saw Henderson finish 103rd overall on the tour and will have boosted his chances for a first appearance in July's Tour de France with Columbia High Road.

Henderson said the biggest stage win of his career meant that he now knew he could race the best road cyclists in the world.

Fellow New Zealander Hayden Roulston was 87th among the main bunch in the stage finish which secured an overall 93d placing for the tour.

- NZPA