Banstead's Edmund Bradbury was satisfied with his 2018 OVO Energy Tour Of Britain Cycling campaign, writes Ziad Chaudry.

The 27-year-old JLT Condor rider completed the eight-stage 1,140 kilometre route last Sunday at West End's Regent Street in 25th place.

Quick-Step Floor's Julian Alaphilippe, from France, claimed the overall title in 26hrs 25.58 mins.

"It's been good," said former Sutton Grammer School pupil Bradbury as he summarised his eight-day trek and also praising his JLT Condor colleagues for a excellent team effort. "The course this year is very hilly which is good for me normally.

"I had a fairly good race but I crashed in stage three which held me back a little bit, my knees are pretty sore but I'm pleased to reach the end to be honest.

"I was a little bit disappointed with my finish two days ago on the hill tops of Whinlatter. I thought I would be higher up than that but I gave it a good go. Some days you have it and some days you don't. That's the only thing in this race I could have improved on but other than that we rode it very well. The team's been really good."

Bradbury, who began his season in New Zealand back in January before ending it in Regent Street St James last Sunday, will now take a well-earnt two month break before getting back on his saddle preparing for 2019.

"I'm definitely having three weeks completely off the bike and then I start building for next year."

And the ambitious Bradbury, who is currently residing in Richmond Park, is hopeful that in a couple of years time he will make the huge step to compete in one of the big three cycling Grand Tour events - Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a España and Tour De France.

"That will be the ideal," he added. "It's obviously like anything it's hard to get there but yes that would be the long term plan for sure."