Cycling: Oliphant out to finish Tour bid on a high

The climax of the event - a two-hour circuit race - around the streets of the Docklands area of London looked likely to play to the strengths of the 28-year-old Endura Racing Team rider, who showed that he could mix it with the big names in the Tour when he featured in a lengthy breakaway earlier in the week.

Oliphant produced another solid effort in yesterday's penultimate stage from Bury St Edmonds to Colchester, crossing the line 15 seconds down on the stage winner Borut Bozic (Vacansoleil). His colleagues Alexandre Blain and Jack Bauer finished eighth and ninth respectively, six seconds off the pace, while Rob Partridge was a further five seconds in arrears to remain the leading Briton.

Meanwhile, Chris Hoy has confirmed plans to use next month's opening round of the four-part Revolution series in Manchester as part of his build-up to November's European Championships in Poland.

Hoy will have an opportunity to test his current state of fitness when he launches his season at the National Track Cycling Championships next week.