Gaviria powered to his fourth win from six stages in China and wrapped up the points classification, while QuickStep Floors teammate Julian Alaphilippe won the white jersey for the best young rider.
Gaviria crossed the line in celebration on the final day of the race, which started and finished in the town of Guilin. For the 23-year-old Colombian, it was his 14th success of the year, which saw him join teammate Marcel Kittel at the top of the 2017 win list for the QuickStep Floors team.
Gaviria, a stage victor in all multi-day events he raced this season, relied once again on an outstanding QuickStep Floors team, which kept the breakaway on a leash with the help of Rémi Cavagna, Davide Martinelli, Pieter Serry and Martin Velits (who was making the final outing of his pro career), before Max Richeze catapulted him on the long straight to the line. Here, the blue jersey wearer comfortably beat Niccolo Bonifazio (Bahrain-Merida) and Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo).
"There couldn't have been a better way for calling it a season. I'm happy to take the win on the last stage of this race and finish off the excellent job of my teammates, who made sure I got the maximum out of this race,” said Gaviria.
“It's been a long and rewarding season, one during which I've gone from strength to strength, continued to develop and learn, and all these things make me even more motivated for 2018. But before that and resuming training, I'll go home, enjoy some rest and spend time with my family.”
Gaviria is the only rider to take four wins in two different World Tour stage races this season; the Giro d'Italia and the Tour of Guangxi.
Wellens wins the overall
Tim Wellens claimed the overall victory in the Tour of Guangxi with a lead of six seconds over Bauke Mollema (Trek Segafredo) and eleven seconds over Nicolas Roche (BMC). The Lotto Soudal rider won the fourth stage on Sunday, he then conquered the leader’s jersey and never gave it away.
With the stage win and overall victory Wellens successfully finished the season with a total of 25 victories.
“The past two days went well. On Sunday I had conquered the leader’s jersey, but the gaps were small so the support of my team in the last two stages was crucial,” said Wellens.
“Yesterday, it took a long time before a breakaway was established and my teammates controlled the race very well, they were all really strong. Thanks to them I was able to win this WorldTour race.
“This means a lot to me. Even though it was the end of the season, there were a lot of strong and motivated riders at the start here. I had to fight for this win,” said Wellens, grateful for every one of the six seconds he held onto in front of second placed Mollema.
“It’s wonderful to finish the season with a victory, just like I started it.”
With the final race of the WorldTour done and dusted, Wellens is looking forward to some time away from the race circuit. “Tomorrow we head home. First we fly to Hong Kong where we have to wait twelve hours for our next flight. Adam Hansen has lived there and will give us a tour. We are all looking forward to that," said Wellens.
in case you missed it
"Google me." Hansen evades deportation drama
“Soon, I will be going on a holiday. I will be off the bike for two weeks. Then I will start running and swimming, go to the fitness and ride on my mountain bike. First I will enjoy this victory and then the preparation for 2018 can begin!”
