Team HTC Highroad rider Mark Cavendish has won the first stage of the Tour of Britain.
Cavendish won a sprint finish to take the Peebles to Dumfries stage in bitter winds and driving rain.
The 26-year-old finished in a time of four hours, 41 minutes and six seconds on his first appearance in the event since 2007.
"It's incredible to win the first stage and get the leaders jersey," said Cavendish.
"If the weather had been better we would have been a bit quicker but I think it would still have been the same result.
"Hopefully it will be a sprint again tomorrow. I am going to try and defend the jersey and try and get another stage win."
Cavendish was the first British rider to win the green jersey at the Tour de France in July.
The Tour of Britain continues on Monday as the riders go from Kendal to Blackpool.
