BRITAIN'S biggest road cycling race came to a thrilling finish in front of Caerphilly Castle this afternoon.

The Tour of Britain riders have completed 790 miles over the last eight days having conquered the eighth and final stage from Margam Country Park to Caerphilly on Sunday, September 10.

It was the first time since 2013 that riders took on the "legendary" Caerphilly Mountain route, which averages a gruelling 10 per cent gradient over 1,300 metres.

There was a palpable, even audible sense that a summer blockbuster was in town as the voices of race commentators and high-energy music filled the scorching air.

ITV crews were also on site, relaying the action to British screens.

Thousands of cycling fans and curious spectators lined the streeets, which became busier and louder as the route wound around Caerphilly Castle and towards the finish line.

Police vehicles sounded their sirens to alert the crowds of the peleton's imminent arrival and organisers closed off the pedestrian crossings.

The riders completed two laps of Caerphilly, through Cardiff Road, Mountain Road, Heol Cae Barrau and Nantgarw Road.

Spaniard Carlos Rodriguez emerged victorious in south Wales while Belgian rider Wout van Aert did enough to hold his overall lead and add a second Tour of Britain title to his stellar resume.

Dutchman Olav Kooij, still just 21 years old, equalled the record of four consecutive stage wins and finished the Tour with more points than nay other rider.

Caerphilly County Borough Council leader Sean Morgan was among those to hand out the awards on the platform.