Edvald Boasson Hagen almost ended his 5 years as a Sky rider by taking another win in the colours of the British team. The Norwegian was narrowly beaten by Nathan Haas in a photo finish at the end of the Japan Cup.

Edvald Boasson Hagen finished in a close second place at the Japan Cup in his final race for Team Sky.

The Norwegian was tantalisingly close to a victory but the photo finish showed that Nathan Haas (Garmin-Sharp) had just edged ahead at the line.

The action played out across 151.3 kilometres in the Utsonomiya Forest Park and it was Team Sky who worked to control the race alongside Garmin-Sharp.

With the day’s break caught heading onto a shortened final circuit there were a number of attacks, with 10 riders eventually breaking free the final time over the Kogashi climb.

In the closing metres it was Haas and Boasson Hagen who went toe to toe while Grega Bole (Vini Fantini-Nippo) also joined the party, with barely a wheel-length separating the podium finishers.

"It would have been nice to have a win for Edvald's last race. Still I think we can be pretty happy with the second place. It’s a good result for him to finish on with Sky," said Sports Director Gabriel Rasch after the race.

"We started to control the race along with a few of the other teams. On the penultimate lap people started to attack and it was full-on racing at that point. The final time up the climb there were 10 riders who broke free from what was left of the peloton.

"All the guys did really well riding for Edvald and Ben (Swift). Ben just didn’t quite have the legs to follow the group over the last big climb but they did a good job together. They raced well and they were on it, even so late in the season. They kept their morale high so it was a good race."

Rasch reserved the final word for the incredible Japanese fans who made the event so special.

He added: "The fans here are unbelievable. It’s amazing to see all the Sky kit and then all the home-made stuff they bring out. There were even a lot of Norwegian flags! They are incredible fans and we really appreciate their support."