STAGE 2

CAVENDISH WINS HIS SECOND STAGE OF MISSOURI

For the second consecutive day, Team Columbia-HTC's Mark Cavendish was the first to cross the line in the Tour of Missouri.  The star sprinter extended his lead in the overall classification by gaining a ten-second time bonus in stage two Tuesday.

“We started fast and kept a good tempo all day,” commented sports director Tristan Hoffman.  [Columbia-HTC teammate] Kanstantsin [Sivtsov] and Michael Barry worked the whole race, along with [American teammate] Craig Lewis, on the consistently rolling course."

"The guys really looked after me again today," commented Cavendish after the win.  "It was a bit hectic in the last kilometres, but George [Hincapie] kept me out of trouble."

It was US Pro Champion George Hincapie who escorted Cavendish through the final kilometres to the Briton’s 23rd victory of the season.  “In the last kilometres, the pace picked up.  Cervelo tried to damage our train.  But George took Mark to the end," added Hoffman.  "Mark jumped on Thor Hushovd’s wheel and had no trouble getting past him.  And the final result was a brilliant win.”

STAGE 1

CAVENDISH WINS MISSOURI OPENER

Mark Cavendish finished of the Columbia-HTC lead out at the Tour of Missouri on Monday, sprinting to win Stage One of the Tour, taking with him the leaders jersey and a Buell 1150cc motorbike.

A break of three riders spent the majority of the race out in front during the 120km circuit race around the streets of St Louis. They were gradually reeled in during the last lap of racing.

“The guys did a great job,” said Cavendish. “Cervelo tried to give us a hard time at the end but the guys kept control and did a perfect job.

“George fell down a hole in the road in the final, so I hope he’s ok,” he added. “I jumped on Thor’s [Hushhovd] wheel and came round him.”

“I didn't feel too good today due to the jetlag, but it was a pretty straight forward race and the guys kept it under control from the beginning.”

Cavendish looks forward to taking his new Buell for a spin in the off season.
“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “I'll get my license in the next couple of months so I can take it for a ride.”