PETER Kennaugh has defended a tense confrontation with Victorian rider Pat Shaw in the immediate aftermath of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour after angry clashes earlier on the road.

The British Olympic champion confronted Shaw at Arthurs Seat, gesturing furiously at the veteran Ballarat rider after an exchange that revealed the language of the peloton.

Tour de France champion Chris Froome won the race, but attention switched to his teammate when he was visibly agitated after crossing the line.

“It was absolutely disgusting,” Kennaugh said after the race.

“When our director said to us on the last lap to ride, to keep it (the time gap) at 40 seconds to protect my second place on ‘GC’ (general classification), he (Shaw) just came up to me and (was) laughing in my face.

“He called me selfish c---. Pat Shaw his name is.

“(He said) `I don’t know how you sleep at night, you’re disgusting’ and all this. He obviously wanted to beat me on GC.

“I just went up to him and confronted him and he wouldn’t look me in the eye.

“A bit of sour note to end it on. It’s sport, I guess, but there’s no need for it to happen.”

Contesting his ninth Herald Sun Tour, Shaw would not comment on the clash.

It is understood there were plenty of niggles on the road between Avanti and Sky.

There were unverified claims post-race of headbutting between riders.

media_camera Peter Kennaugh (right) talks heatedly with Pat Shaw after Sunday’s final stage. Picture: Michael Klein

The Herald Sun understands Shaw believed Kennaugh had ordered his teammates to chase down Froome.

Denying making any such order, Kennaugh said he was bewildered by Shaw’s antics.

“I just confronted him at the finish, as I always do if there’s an argument, just to sort it out,” the Briton said.

“You can’t just speak to people like that on the bike. You wouldn’t walk up to people like that in the street. You’ve got to have respect for every person.

“Tensions are high, there’s stress. I don’t know where it came from but it was very personal.

“I’ve loved the race, it’s been great racing every stage.”

Kennaugh said he had enjoyed racing against the Australian teams.

“It’s been great racing, great preparation for the season,” he said.

“I love Australia. I love coming here.”

media_camera Chris Froome holds the winner’s trophy aloft. Picture: Michael Klein

Sending a loud message to his rivals, Froome entered the final day 13 seconds behind Kennaugh.

The Kenyan-born superstar became the first Tour de France champion to win the Herald Sun Tour, emerging with a 29-secs margin over Kennaugh, who finished seventh, 32 seconds down.

Orica-GreenEDGE’s Howson was third overall, 1min, 1sec behind Froome.

Apart from overall and stage honours, Froome also won the king of the mountain category.

General Classification

1. Christopher FROOME (SKY) 12h53:00

2. Peter KENNAUGH (SKY) +29

3. Damien HOWSON (OGE) +1:01

4. Jack BOBRIDGE (TFS) +1:04

5. Jack HAIG (OGE) +1:14

6. Jonathan CLARKE (UHC) +1:15

7. Robbie HUCKER (AIW) +1:20

8. Chris HAMILTON (AUS) +1:23

9. Anthony GIACOPPO (AIW) +1:32

10. Dion SMITH (ONE) +1:32