Luka Mezgec (SLO) sprinted to his first victory as a professional rider on the final stage of the Tour of Beijing, which was also the final race day of the season, earlier today.

This win will be a huge relief for Mezgec after knocking on the door but never quite making the winning break-through all year long, including three podium places at the Giro d'Italia.

Mezgec's win came at the end of 117km stage to Bird's Nest Piazza where he went one better than on the opening stage of the race to raise his arms in victory and take the spoils in the final bunch sprint of the race.

The Argos-Shimano team once again did a great job setting him up and keeping him out of trouble all race and Mezgec repaid their faith and hard work by finishing off the job in style. 

This win comes off the back of the announcement that Mezgec, along with many other Team Argos-Shimano riders, has extended his contract with the team through to 2015.

"It took a while to come and I made everyone wait until the final day of the season," said a relieved Luka Mezgec after the finish. "I knew I could win here after going close on the first stage, and it doesn't just come on the final day of the season but in the WorldTour which is amazing.

“We've had great results all year, with Marcel Kittel, John Degenkolb and Warren Barguil (FRA) winning in the Grand Tours, and the whole team has worked hard all season. It's great that I can finish the season with a win too."

“It is beautiful that Luka can finally show off with a victory after going close on many occasions," said coach Rudi Kemna. "The

team worked all week for this moment and we have made once again some big steps in our sprint train. Luka was confident in his lead-out and that is what we saw here today. It is not easy to go at the right moment, but if the train delivers you in the right place, it can make the difference between winning and losing. That is what the team did today, maybe a bit early, but they had the speed and put him on the right wheel. We can look back on a good Tour of Beijing, with a second place in stage one and now a big win here in downtown Beijing. The boys were great all race, they're progressed once more, and they can travel home with yet another team victory."