On the startline in Ballarat Englishman Brad Wiggins was regarded as the most credentialed rider ever to ride the Herald Sun Tour. A six-time world champion, three Olympic gold medals and fourth placing in this year's (2009) Tour de France Wiggins was a standout in an otherwise open tour.

Although a multiple stage race win had eluded him, there could be no denying he was the man to beat considering there was an individual time trial along Geelong's foreshore on stage five,a discipline of the sport where he is regarded as one of the world's best.Riding against the clock for Wiggins is like a six-year-old with an ice-cream - they love it! It was his turn now to take the limelight after helping Sutton to three stage victories earlier in the tour.

As the lean Brit rolled down the starting ramp in Geelong, he trailed his Garmin Slipstream teammate and tour leader Chris Sutton by 43 seconds, splitting them was the rapidly improved and in-form rider from Fly V Australia, Jonathan Cantwell, who was just five seconds down on Sutton.

Englishman Bradley Wiggins with his Herald Sun Tour trophy in Carlton.

Garmin boss and former Pro-tour rider Matt White could have tossed a coin heading into the final stage with Wiggins and Sutton one-two on the general classification and either with one foot on the highest point of the podium in Carlton.

Another teammate, Canadian Svein Tuft, was in fourth place, 39 seconds behind Wiggins with Cantwell in the middle of the Garmin gang in third place, 32 seconds down on the yellow jersey. The easy going Cantwell from the Gold Coast won the Tour Preface in Ballarat, and by the time the tour had reached Warrnambool on stage two, he was in yellow and leading the race.

His team have dominated the domestic scene in Australia this year as well as profiting on the lucrative USA circuit. But they were no match for the Garmin outfit by the time the race had hit the streets of Carlton, sure losing Tour of Tasmania winner and a pre-race fancy Bernard Sulzberger on stage one didn't help, but with a Pro-tour team of the calibre of Garmin Slipstream driving the peloton when required, life on the road was always going to be tough for the other teams.

Jonathan Cantwell takes out the final stage of the tour in Carlton.

For Wiggins it was a pleasing result. His late father Gary had competed in the Herald Sun Tour and was once an Australian track champion. In 2009 on the streets of Carlton and on his way to victory, Bradley Wiggins was inspired by the cries of 'Go Wiggo' coming from the crowd lining the streets.

His affection for the 'Lucky country' had met with approval from thousands on one of Melbourne's most famous cafe and restaurant strips. I know it hurts a little though, i mean, not only do they win the Ashes but then they win our oldest bike race! Bragging rights are well and truly with the Poms.

A gallery from the 2009 tour will be online shortly.