Cavendish makes it three at the Giro

Mark Cavendish wins, Giro d'Italia 2012, stage 13

Giro d'Italia 2012 stage 13 photo gallery by Graham Watson>>

Mark Cavendish (Team Sky) took his third win at this year's Giro d'Italia as he sprinted to victory in the thirteenth stage between Savona and Cervere on Friday afternoon.

But it was a more improvised triumph than usual for the world champion. As his second-to-last lead-out man Peter Kennaugh led the bunch, Orica-GreenEdge usurped the Team Sky effort with 800 metres to go, working for Matt Goss.

No matter. In a split second, Cavendish re-assessed, grabbing the wheel of Garmin sprinter Robbie Hunter.

He was boxed between the barriers and rivals for some time. But as the sprint started, Goss moved to create a small gap on the left. Despite initially appearing to have to slow, Cavendish launched his customary blinding sprint to win.

This was a reminder that Cavendish has the race craft and cool to win without a fully-firing lead out train.

The 26 year old also considerably extended his lead in the points competition, as rival Goss faded badly in the final fifty metres to finish sixth.

On the shortest stage of this year's Giro, Martin Keizer (Vacansoleil-DCM) and Francesco Failli (Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli) broke away as the race headed inland from the Riviera start in Savona for 95 kilometres of freedom.

Team Sky's domestiques kept the gap under control, and Cavendish went on to repay their work in a nerve-wracking finish.

Tomorrow, the Giro d'Italia embarks on its first high mountain stage, a 205km slog between between Cherasco and Cervinia.

Taking in the Col de Joux and a finish at 2,001 metres on the climb to Cervinia, it ought to provide the clearest indication yet of which riders can win this year's Giro.

Results

Giro d'Italia stage 13, Savona - Cervere, 121km

1. Mark Cavendish (Gbr) Team Sky

2. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha

3. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Rabobank

4. Sacha Modolo (Ita) Colnago-CSF Inox

5. Elia Favilli (Ita) Farnese Vini

6. Matt Goss (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge

7. Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ-BigMat

8. Juan Jose Haedo (Arg) Saxo Bank-Sungard all at same time

Overall classification after stage 13

1. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Katusha 54-21-15

2. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Barracuda at 17secs

3. Sandy Casar (Fra) FDJ-BigMat at 26secs

4. Paolo Tiralongo (Ita) Astana at 32secs

5. Ivan Santaromita (Ita) BMC Racing at 49secs

6. Roman Kreuziger (Svk) Astana at 52secs

7. Benat Intxausti (Esp) Movistar s.t.

8. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale at 57secs

Giro d'Italia 2012: Latest news

Cavendish disappointed to lose Giro stage in Montecatini Terme

Goss shaping up as Orica-GreenEdge leader

Hesjedal happy with Giro performance despite losing lead

Pinotti alters Giro plans after losing time in mountains

Pozzato apologises for role in causing crash

Hesjedal has tough day as Giro leader

Schleck building form in Giro for final week in Alps

English speakers on top

Giro favourites to make move in first mountain finish

Malori will relish time in Giro lead

Giro d'Italia 2012: Live coverage

Giro d'Italia 2012 live text coverage schedule

Giro d'Italia 2012: Stage reports

Stage 13: Cavendish makes it three

Stage 12: Bak attacks to win

Stage 11: Ferrari wins Giro stage on ride to redemption

Stage 10: Rodriguez wins thrilling finale to take leadStage nine: Ventoso wins in Frosinone as Goss and Cavendish fall

Stage eight: Pozzovivo takes another Giro win

Stage seven: Hesjedal moves into Giro lead

Stage six: Rubiano solos to epic Giro stage win

Stage five: Cavendish bounces back for another stage win

Stage four: Garmin-Barracuda win TTT to take lead

Stage three: Goss wins in Horsens as Cavendish and Phinney crash

Stage two: Cavendish wins in Herning

Stage one: Phinney wins time trial

Giro d'Italia 2012: Photo galleries

Stage 12 photo gallery

Stage 11 photo gallery

Stage 10 photo gallery

Stage nine photo gallery

Stage eight photo gallery

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

Giro d'Italia 2012: Teams and riders

Giro d'Italia 2012 start list

Giro d'Italia 2012: TV guide

Giro d'Italia 2012: British Eurosport TV schedule

 

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.