Colombia's Rigoberto Uran took the silver, while bronze went to Alexander Kristoff from Norway.

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And Uran, currently a member of the UK's Team Sky, is just one of several Colombians plying their trade with European outfits.

BBC: Giro team revives Colombia's passion for pedalling

The parties at war: the make-believe nations of Star and Uran in Karubeki Sekai ("The World That Is Coming"), a futuristic epic by the late Japanese cartoonist Tezuka Osamu.

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This South American country has never lacked good cyclists, as the silver medal won by Rigoberto Uran in the Men's Road Race at the 2012 Olympic Games in London proved.

BBC: Giro team revives Colombia's passion for pedalling

Despite the British team having control of the peloton throughout the race, they struggled to close the gap on the lead group and Cavendish was nowhere in sight as Vinokourov out sprinted Uran to the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace.

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With just under 10km to the finish line -- and a handy time advantage of 50 seconds -- the leading pack looked to be preparing for a sprint finish, but Uran made a break for it, and surprisingly Vinokourov was the only rider to respond.

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