Rob Partridge soaked up the applause of Cardiff as the curtain came down on his professional racing career.
Fans turned out in their droves to watch the finale of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain before waving goodbye to their hometown hero.
The BIKE Channel Canyon rider was invited to share the podium with race winner Lars Boom, runner-up Edvald Boasson Hagen and third-placed Stefan Kung as the assembled crowd saluted his efforts over the past 14 years.
Partridge, who today celebrates his 32nd birthday, announced his retirement in the wake of the seventh stage.
He revealed to his team-mates and staff the emotion which caught him by surprise as he prepared to make his decision public on Saturday night.
And what followed was a fitting tribute to the man as he became centre of attention on the final day of his record-equalling 11th Tour of Britain.
Before the roll out in Worcester, the Wrexham-born rider was interviewed by friend and former team-mate Rob Hayles for the live ITV coverage of the race.
He then lined up at the front of the grid alongside close pal Geraint Thomas to mark his final day in the professional peloton.
And while he may not have arrived in Cardiff at the front of the race, race organisers Sweetspot kindly invited him to thank his home crowd on the podium.
Boasson Hagen had earlier powered to a brave solo success on the final stage but it wasn’t enough to dethrone Boom at the top of the general classification.
The Norwegian attacked with little more than 3km to go and held on by a matter of metres from the chasing pack, led by Quick-Step Floors’ Max Richeze.
The race exploded on the opening Skoda king of the mountains climb of the day – British Camp, which was crested after just 26km.
Unfortunately, none of the remaining four BIKE Channel Canyon riders made it into the select front group to contest the rest of the stage.
However, neither that nor the rain could dampen spirits in the team as they celebrated a memorable Tour of Britain debut and the career of a certain Mr Partridge.
