CW Exclusive: Cavendish overjoyed for Boasson Hagen

Mark Cavendish after puncture Ghent Wevelgem 2009

Mark Cavendish was wet and cold after today's 242km Giro d'Italia stage to Chiavenna but like everyone on the Team Columbia bus, he was happy that team mate Edvald Boasson Hagen had won.

Cavendish finished 11th, one place behind fellow Brit Ben Swift (Katusha) and 40 seconds behind Boasson Hagen. After the finish, Cavendish was the first to hug the young Norwegian and seemed almost as happy as if he?d won himself.

?It?s brilliant for the team to get another win,? he told Cycling Weekly after getting changed into warm clothing.

?Edvald?s a great rider and is so versatile, he can do almost everything. He chased for me when I crashed (on the stage to Valdobbiadene), he worked for me in the last kilometre in the sprint (in Trieste) and then he was in the front group in the mountains helping Rogers and Lovkvist. He?s a super, super talent. When he really learns how to race well, he?ll be unstoppable.?

Cavendish revealed he helped Boasson Hagen go clear on the crazy rain soaked descent to the finish.

?I went for it on the descent going through the tunnel. That served as a slingshot for Edvald to get across, so it was perfect,? he said.

?It?s not often I get to contribute to someone else?s win like that. It?s nice. If I can do it, I have to try and pay the lads back for all the work they do for me.?

Cavendish admitted he is feeling tired after seven days of racing but seems to be enjoying the Giro.

?The finale was really cold and very technical. I think you could have taken 200km off the stage and still have had the same outcome,? he said.

?I?m tired but I think most people are tired. It?s been a long first week with the Dolomites.?

Saturday?s eighth stage includes the Colle del Gallo climb and the short ramp up to Bergamo Alta used in previous edition of the Tour of Lombardy.

It could also suit Boasson Hagen, while Cavendish and Team Columbia have their eye on Sunday?s criterium stage in the centre of Milan.

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Giro d'Italia 2009 links

Stage reports

Stage seven: Boasson Hagen takes treacherous stage

Stage six: Scarponi wins longest stage with big break

Stage five: Menchov wins mountain battle as Di Luca grabs the pink jersey

Stage four: Di Luca denies Soler on the line; Lovkvist takes pink jersey

Stage three: Cavendish loses pink jersey after being caught behind late crash

Stage two: Petacchi denies Cavendish the stage win

Stage one: Cavendish in pink as Columbia prove their point to Garmin

Photo galleries

Stage seven photo gallery

Stage six photo gallery

Stage five photo gallery

Stage four photo gallery

Stage three photo gallery

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one photo gallery

Desktop wallpaper photos

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Cavendish looking for Giro revenge

Armstrong happy with stage four performance

Lovkvist will fight to keep Giro lead

Giro could be last race for Armstrong's team

Vande Velde crashes out of Giro

Petacchi claims he didn't know of Cavendish crash

Cavendish struggles to find consolation in pink jersey

Petacchi: I've been working out how to beat Cav

I'm wearing pink on behalf of the team, says Cavendish

Wiggins ready to win Giro team time trial

Friday, May 8: Giro news round-up

Cavendish out to topple Garmin in Giro team time trial

Team time trial start times

Cycling Weekly's Giro d'Italia top ten prediction

Brits in Venice for Giro presentation

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Armstrong confident of finding new sponsor for Astana

Armstrong working to save Astana team

Wiggins in top form for Giro

Garmin Slipstream kitted out for Giro opener

Dan Lloyd gets late Giro call-up

Armstrong's special Giro bikes unveiled

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Cummings and Thomas not selected for Giro d'Italia

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David Millar confirms he's riding in 2009 Giro

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2009 Giro d'Italia to start in Venice

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Armstrong to ride 2009 Giro

Tuttosport reveals 2009 Giro d'Italia route

Dolce & Gabbana design new Giro jersey

2009 Giro d'Italia guide and features

Find the pink jersey competition

Giro d'Italia 2009: The Big Preview

British riders to have led the grand tours

CW's Giro top ten prediction

Brits in the Giro 2009

Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Cavendish

CW Classic: the 1987 Giro d'Italia

2008 Giro d'Italia archive

Giro d'Italia 2008 coverage index - race reports, photos, results

From rule Britannia to cruel Britannia

Giro 2008: The final word on this year's race

Brits at the 2008 Giro: photo special

Five days to go, what's in store?

Giro d'Italia 2008: Rest day review (May 27)

Giro d'Italia 2008: Rest day review (May 19)

Giro d'Italia 2008 preview

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