Tom Boonen won the 2016 Prudential RideLondon after Geraint Thomas' breakaway was thwarted by a late catch.
The Team Sky rider was within 5km of victory when the peloton reeled him in after a solo ride of around 50km through the streets of the capital.
The catch meant that the crowds on The Mall were set for a huge bunch sprint - with 35-year-old Boonen of Etixx-QuickStep crossing the line first.
“It's a great event.” @chrisfroome after taking part in the Prudential #RideLondon-Surrey Classic. pic.twitter.com/54OmFErz55
— RideLondon (@RideLondon) July 31, 2016
Tour de France winner Chris Froome was the big name on the start list, but it was his Team Sky and Team GB colleague Thomas who stole the show.
After a temporary suspension of the race following crashes in the Prudential RideLondon 100 earlier in the day, Thomas and Ian Stannard took the initiative to bridge the gap from the peloton to a six-man breakaway.
But Thomas' work wasn't done - as he caught the peloton napping to breakaway on his own, leading by more than a minute as the race entered its conclusion.
Stannard attempted to catch and support Thomas inside the final 20km, but the chasing pack ate into the pair's lead, setting up the finish and Boonen's victory in a time of 4:43.55.
Australians Mark Renshaw (Dimension Data) and Michael Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange) finished second and third respectively.
Froome didn't contest the finish, but shared Boonen's time, crossing the line in 41st place.
The highest placed British rider was Tobyn Horton of Madison Genesis who finished eighth, Mark McNally of Wanty - Groupe Gobert also making the top 10 in 10th place.
Alex Dowsett was the highest placed finisher in Great Britain Cycling Team colours, taking 74th, 50 seconds behind the race winner.
For Froome, Thomas, Stannard and Dimension Data's Steve Cummings - who didn't complete the course - attention now turns to Saturday's Olympic men's road race, where they'll also be joined by Tour de France white jersey winner Adam Yates in the Team GB lineup.
