Credit: Mario Stiehl

Credit: Mario Stiehl

Credit: Mario Stiehl

 

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Cavendish takes back-to-back stages in Ireland

August 28, 2008

Thursday's stage two of the Tour of Ireland saw Mark Cavendish score his second straight win and maintain his overall lead  with a classy bunch sprint victory in the town of Loughrea.

The 23-year-old successfully avoided a last-kilometre crash to outpace Dutchman Michael Van Staeyen and Max Richeze of Argentina at the head of a 70-strong main bunch.

After lone stage leader Frederik Ericsson was caught 10 kilometres from the line a mass sprint became almost inevitable as Columbia powered up the pace at the front.

Cavendish team-mate Michael Barry guided Cavendish into the crucial final kilometre before the Isle of Man rider powered away on the final straight - and avoided the last-minute pile-up - to take a convincing second victory on Irish soil in 24 hours.

Cavendish  now leads the race by 13 seconds over New Zealander Julian Dean. But his current domination of the five-day stage race does not end there.
The Briton is also ahead of the field in the the Best Young Rider competition and  is leader in the points competition as well.