Cavendish Wins in Missouri and Takes the Yellow Jersey

September 08, 2008

Columbia’s Mark Cavendish won the first stage of the Tour of Missouri today in Kansas City today, taking the Yellow Leaders Jersey, the Point’s Jersey and the Young Riders Jersey at the end of the day.

Cavendish was the favourite going into the stage providing the race finished in a bunch sprint and he didn’t disappoint.

“My team was brilliant as usual,” said Cavendish after the race. “They know if they get me to the finish we have a good chance of winning. When you have a team like that it’s pretty hard to lose.”

A break went early forcing Team Columbia to chase. “The guys worked hard all day to control the race, particularly Craig [Lewis] and John [Devine],” explained Cavendish. “The roads are really hard here. It’s up and down all day so it’s hard riding at the front all day like they did. It was also a bit miserable out there with the weather. When the break was caught we put the pressure on in the cross winds and split up the peloton a bit.”

As the race came into town to start the three finishing circuits, the bunch was all together and a solo rider was off the front. Columbia slowly reeled in the break to prepare for the sprint. “We have such a good lead out,” said Cavendish. “They perfectly lined it up and we had it under control coming out of the last turn. George [Hincapie] dropped me off on Dominique Rollin’s wheel with a few hundred metres to go and Tyler Farrar started the sprint and I was able to come around him.”

“It’s really nice to be racing in front of such an enthusiastic and friendly crowd,” added Cavendish. “I’m happy to be here.”

Team Director Tristan Hoffman was pleased with the way the team rode. "We took responsibility today to bring back the break and ride for Mark," he said. "It's exciting to win the first stage here and the guys rode really well for Mark."

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Cavendish Wins in Missouri and Takes the Yellow Jersey