Twitter reacts to Ian Stannard's 'brilliant' Tour of Britain stage win

Ian Stannard (Sky) won the third stage of the 2016 Tour of Britain in Knutsford on Tuesday after launching a solo attack from the day's escape group with 41km to go.

Stannard accelerated away from former break companions Kristian House and Graham Briggs, and time trialled all the way to the finish line in front of home crowds.

It was a mammoth performance from the Essex rider to take his first ever Tour of Britain win, and one which attracted widespread praise on social media platform Twitter.

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Stannard's team-mate Chris Froome – currently second overall in the Vuelta a España in Spain – hailed it as a 'brilliant ride'.

Stannard's ToB team-mate Ben Swift paid tribute to a win from a hard worker:

The official race Twitter obviously enjoyed Stannard's effort:

Someone was perhaps a bit too keen on handing Stannard the win, with 20km still to go:

'Belgian former pro' Kenny Van Vlaminck is a fan:

David Millar pays tribute

Plenty of appreciation of Stannard's efforts from hardcore fans:

... and appreciation from the British national team too: