Van Aert had the power to come around both Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel on the seafront in Aberdeen, and with Hayter getting boxed in, the bonus seconds gave the Belgian the overall win by six seconds from the Ineos Greandiers rider.
The Jumbo-Visma rider raised an arm in celebration as he crossed the line before looking back to see where Hayter was - had the Londoner finished second he would have held blue - launching a second celebration when he realised his fourth stage win of the week had earned overall success too.
These pictures show the race as the cyclist travelled through the Borders, East Lothian, Edinburgh then up to Aberdeen.
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Tour of Britain in pictures: Wout Van Aert won the epic race in a sprint finish as the tour finished in Aberdeen Photo: PA
. Wout Van Aert
Team Jumbo-Visma Cycling's Wout Van Aert wins stage eight of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain from Stonehaven to Aberdeen. Photo: Ian Rutherford
1. Untitled design - 2021-09-13T104500.736.jpg
Tour of Britain in pictures: Wout Van Aert won the epic race in a sprint finish as the tour finished in Aberdeen Photo: PA
2. Wout Van Aert
Team Jumbo-Visma Cycling's Wout Van Aert wins stage eight of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain from Stonehaven to Aberdeen. Photo: Ian Rutherford
3. Team Jumbo-Visma
Team Jumbo-Visma Cycling's Wout Van Aert (centre) celebrates winning stage eight of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain from Stonehaven to Aberdeen and the overall Tour of Britain alongside second placed INEOS Grenadiers' Ethan Hayter (left) and Third placed Deceuninck Quick-Step's Julian Alaphilippe. Photo: Ian Rutherford
4. Heading towards the finish line
At the finishing stretch of the last day - Stonehaven to Aberdeen. Photo: Ian Rutherford