Stage 13

Cavendish Wins Second Straight Stage in Spain

HTC-Columbia's Mark Cavendish blasted to his second straight stage win in the Vuelta a España and tenth victory of 2010 Friday.  On stage 13 from Rincon de Soto to Burgos, Cavendish was once again the first to the line.  He said HTC-Columbia teammate Matt Goss, who led the sprinter out for a second day running, played a major part in his twenty-second Grand Tour stage victory.

"Matt was going so fast, I was struggling to stay on his wheel at times," Cavendish said.  "He divebombed down the side of the bunch and got me into the perfect position.  Normally I'd go with 250 metres to go, but I had to hold it until 170 metres this time.  Hopefully he'll get a stage win as well before the race ends."

Cavendish paid tribute to his Vuelta teammates in general, saying "they're young, but they're really dedicated and concentrated.  I'm really proud of the work they're doing here and I can't thank them enough."

Cavendish singled out Hayden Roulston, his teammate who abandoned today, saying "We were sad to lose him, and I hope he gets better soon."  Asked about his 'jump' across the line, Cavendish said "I just like to do stuff like that and I'm sure one of our partners will be able to use that.  I work with a great group of partners and suppliers and it's nice to be able to give them something back."

Stage 12

HTC-Columbia Leads Cavendish to First Ever Vuelta Stage Win

Following an unbeatable lead-out by Matt Goss and the HTC-Columbia Vuelta squad, Mark Cavendish has claimed his first ever stage win in the Vuelta a España on Thursday.  Already the race leader of the 2010 Vuelta for the first two stages, Cavendish powered out of the pack at the finish in Lleida to take his ninth victory on the 2010 season ahead of American Tyler Farrar and HTC-Columbia teammate Matt Goss.  Cavendish's win is also his first since his victory on the Champs-Elysées in the Tour de France in late July.

Now Cavendish has taken victories in all three major stage races. "It's really special to win stages in all three major Tours, but there are always eight teammates who get me into a position where I can win."  Cavendish said afterwards.  "[Teammate] Lars Bak got in the break today, so we didn't have to work so hard.  I wanted Matt [Goss] to get the win today because he made such a huge effort to get me into the right position.  It didn't work out that way, but even so I'm really proud of what he did today.  When I do succeed, it's on behalf of the team.  We've a young squad here, and we're learning day-by-day and getting tighter and tighter in the finishes. It's going well."

Cavendish has now regained control of the points classification, which he leads with a nine point advantage.  "I would like to try and win it outright, but my main objective is stage wins. Hopefully I'll get some more and the points jersey will work out as well."

HTC-Columbia men's team has secured 56 wins this season, including five stages of the Tour de France, two stages of the Giro d'Italia and two in the Vuelta a España.

Prologue

HTC-COLUMBIA WIN VUELTA OPENER

HTC-Columbia has emerged victorious in the opening team time trial of the Vuelta a Espana, a 13 kilometre late night race against the clock through the streets of Seville.

Mark Cavendish was the first HTC-Columbia rider across the line,making him the race’s first leader.

HTC-Columbia was ten seconds faster than second placed Liquigas-Doimo on the completely flat course held through the centre of Seville, with Saxo Bank in third.

“As soon as we did the first training ride on the course on Thursday even after ten minutes on the bike we were riding so well together I had the feeling we were going to win,” said Cavendish.

“The team time trial is my favourite discipline because the whole team gets rewarded, it’s special that way, and at the same time you need to get it one hundred percent right for it to work.”

“I get to stand on the podium quite a lot, but that’s because of eight other guys hard work. Today we all got to stand on the podium and I’m incredibly proud of what my team-mates did.”

Cavendish said that although he got to wear the Tour of Spain leader’s red jersey, “it belonged to the whole squad. I’m wearing it on behalf of the team.”

Cavendish is also the leader of the points competition, whilst HTC-Columbia are the leaders of the teams classification.

Saturday’s victory is the 55th of the 2010 season for HTC-Columbia men’s team.