Sir Bradley Wiggins immediately turned his attentions to Wednesday's Road World Championships time-trial after winning the Tour of Britain.
The Olympic champion expressed relief at claiming the gold jersey following a miserable year which could yet end on another high, if he can win in Florence.
"From (this) morning my thoughts turn to the World Championships and this will probably be forgotten," said Wiggins, who won the 2012 Tour de France and Olympic time-trial gold 10 days later.
Wiggins celebrates his Tour of Britain win
"It's a bit like the Tour with the Olympics. Win the Tour one day, the next day you're thinking about the Olympics."
Wiggins became the second British winner in the 10th edition of the Tour of Britain - after Jonathan Tiernan-Locke 12 months ago - and the first Team Sky rider to triumph in its home tour at the fourth attempt.
IAM Cycling's Martin Elmiger finished 26 seconds behind in second, with Simon Yates of the Great Britain under-23 team third overall.
Wiggins wins Tour of Britain
Wiggins, who took the race lead with victory in the stage three time-trial at Knowsley Safari Park, was nervous until the end.
The 33-year-old Londoner said: "It's all right to think it's a bit of a ceremony round London, but it certainly isn't. Until you cross the line you just don't know."
Wiggins praised the crowd support throughout the eight-day event, describing it as "overwhelming at times", as he bounced back from a troubled year which saw him withdraw from the Giro d'Italia and miss the defence of his Tour de France title.
He said: "It's nice to be able to come to perform to your potential and please everybody. Everyone goes home happy."