Mark Cavendish takes opening stage of Tour of Britain 2011 - Cycling Update
Before the start of the race HTC-Highroad team’s Mark Cavendish was very excited for this race and announced that he will be riding in his national tour for the first time since 2007. Cavendish showed a good effort and managed to hold the yellow jersey in
the opening stage of Tour of Britain 2011 on Sunday, September 11.
The race started in Peebles and ended in Dumfries. The 26-year-old Manx professional road racing cyclists took a total of 4 hours, 41 minutes and 6 seconds to cover the distance of 170 kilometres.
Recently, Cavendish took the five stages of Tour de France and he also won the Stiphout Criterium in the Netherlands as he easily beat Andy and Frank Schleck.
After winning the stage, Mark said, “If it was nice weather it would have been a lot faster, still probably the same result, but it would have been easier. Its been wicked here, all day. The crowds are spectacular especially considering the weather."
After 10 miles to go, the two cyclists made a brave move indeed and made a breakaway lead including Russell Hampton (Sigma Sport) and Pieter Ghyllebert (An Post-Sean Kelly). The other two cyclists Peter Williams and Mark Cassidy also tried to catch the two
cyclists but failed.
Hampton and Ghyllebert worked well together and built a lead of six minutes over the chasing peloton. Ghyllebert showed his powerful skills and took the first three intermediate sprints of the stage.
However, Russell Hampton continued his effort and took the first three climbs of the stage ahead of Ghyllebert and Cummings. Hampton also took the title of most aggressive cyclists.
In the final ten kilometres, Cavendish worked hard and easily caught the leading riders and increased his pace as he crossed the finish line to take the stage victory. His team-mate Mark Renshaw was in second place and Theo Bos of Rabobank cycling team was
in third place.
He further added, "We had to ride with a few of our guys today but we had support from Sky and the guys did an incredible job to control the break. You know, then it was run of the mill stuff to set me up for the finish."
Cavendish also took the overall standing with a timing of 4 hours, 40 minutes and 56 seconds while Renshaw was in second spot with 4 seconds behind Mark. Theo Bos finished third with a difference of 6 seconds ahead of Lars Boom.
The next stage will cover the distance of 130 kilometres and it will run in Kendal and finish in Blackpool.
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