Rohan Dennis has confirmed he will defend his time trial crown at cycling's road race world championships in Britain after his abrupt withdrawal from the Tour de France mid-event.

Primoz Roglic was too fatigued following the Giro d'Italia to compete in the Tour de France, but he had the last word when avoiding any final day mishap on the Vuelta a Espana's ceremonial ride into Madrid on Sunday to become the first Slovenian to win one of cycling's three Grand Tours.

Slovenia's Primoz Roglic assured victory in the Vuelta a Espana on Saturday and needs only to complete the short ceremonial run to Madrid on Sunday to lift his first Grand Tour after another "good day" in the saddle.

Highly-rated Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel underlined his dominance of the Tour of Britain by winning the eighth and final stage on Saturday to seal his overall victory.

Frenchman Remi Cavagna of Deceuninck-Quick Step, the lone survivor of a breakaway, won stage 19 of the Vuelta a Espana on Friday as leader Primoz Roglic again rode his luck to keep overall victory in sight.

Mathieu van der Poel cemented his overall lead in the Tour of Britain as the Dutchman powered to victory in the seventh stage on Friday.

Colombia's Sergio Higuita of the Education First team won stage 18 of the Vuelta a Espana on Thursday as the overall leader Primoz Roglic came second in another assured step towards the title.

Dutch rider Dylan Groenewegen won his third stage in five days at the Tour of Britain as Italy's Matteo Trentin moved into the overall lead on Wednesday.

Belgian veteran Philippe Gilbert claimed a second win at this year's Vuelta a Espana on Wednesday as Slovenian Primoz Roglic remained in the lead but with a new challenger.

Mathieu van der Poel took over as the Tour of Britain's overall leader after winning Tuesday's fourth stage from Gateshead to Kendal.