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Monday July 6, 2009

Cavendish shows his class with victory in second stage

BRIGNOLES (France): Mark Cavendish made it clear he is probably untouchable in mass finishes on the Tour de France this year when he stunned the rest of the field to win the second stage yesterday.

Left in the front with three of his Columbia team-mates after a crash in the final turn of the 187km stage from Monaco had split the bunch, the Briton was forced to an unexpectedly long sprint in the last 500m.

It made his victory all the more impressive as second-placed American Tyler Farrar and third-placed Romain Feillu of France never looking in a position to challenge him.

Cavendish, the winner of four stages in 2008, praised his team-mates who had led and protected him in the last 20km to place him in ideal conditions for the finale.

Master of mass finishes:Britain's Mark Cavendish raising his arms to celebrate after winning the second stage of the Tour de France.-Reuters

“They’re superb, really intelligent guys and efficient too. When you see the work of these eight riders riding for me, it’s impressive,” he told reporters.

“I’m glad I could win it. There’s a lot of people involved in a sprint like this.”

While Cavendish is already the most successful British professional rider, he can now set his sights on Barry Hoban’s British record of eight stage victories on the Tour.

“I had two goals on this Tour, one was to go to the end of the Tour and take as many wins along the way. But I don’t want to look too far ahead,” he said.

The heat, with temperatures reaching 40°, was merciless in the peloton.

“I cannot remember riding in such heat. It was like riding in a hot bath,” said Cancellara.

The weather did not stop four riders launching the first long breakaway in this Tour started on the third category climb to La Turbie, after 13 km.

Finn Jussi Veikkanen, Dutchman Stef Clement, Frenchmen Cyril Dessel and Stephane Auge joined forces for 166 km and held a maximum lead of 5:20 with 100 km to go.

In the last 40 km, Cavendish’s team-mate Mark Renshaw seized control of the peloton to increase the pace and the gap gradually diminished. The four were caught with nine km to go.

American Lance Armstrong, back in the saddle after three and a half years in retirement, remained 10th overall after riding in the peloton all day.

Today’s third stage from Marseille to La Grande Motte could be another tricky one, with strong winds forecast on the 196.5 km along the Mediterranean coastline. — Reuters

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