Cavendish's Sky lead-out still on learning curve

Peter Kennaugh and Mark Cavendish, Giro d'Italia 2012, stage 13

Mark Cavendish fought back for win number three today in Giro d'Italia's 13th stage to Cervere. The World Champion from team Sky fell behind Orica-GreenEdge's charge in the final metres, but re-emerged on top by the finish line.

Pete Kennaugh and then Geraint Thomas led Cavendish in the final kilometre down the left side of the road. Orica, however mounted a charge with Daryl Impey and Brett Lancaster for Matt Goss. Cavendish, seemingly swamped, kept cool and punched through. He followed Garmin's Robert Hunter, who trailed Goss.

"I'm not worried, I don't have an emotion, but certainly, I have to re-think my calculations through," Cavendish said in the post-race press conference. "You know it's not going to be straight forward. You just got to wait for a gap to open."

Thomas was unable to rev to top speed after Orica arrived and left Cavendish to find an open door. Cavendish said that his new train is learning from these experiences, likely fine-tuning for the Tour de France.

"I think we can learn from today. I think if Pete needs to stay a bit further from the barriers to give G some room... To be fair, we got out-led by GreenEdge," Cavendish added.

"I was lucky opened the door. At first, I thought he was giving me a fair sprint against him, but then I saw with a helicopter [TV] shot later, I saw he was closing [Rabobank's Mark] Renshaw down on the right. With a stroke of luck, it opened up for me, so ah... I was a little bit lucky today, but I was happy with it."

The Turin airport and the Autostrada will be busy tonight some sprinters heading home. Goss and Lancaster will not start tomorrow's mountain stage to Cervinia. In fact, the next week only offers one opportunity for a sprint, stage 18 to Vedelago.

"When I came to this giro, I planned 100 per cent to go to Milano and I planned to win the red [points jersey]. With the crashes, the red jersey might be out the window, but I still don't have plans to go home," Cavendish explained.

"I came in with really good form, I could have got through the first week relaxed and built up to the second two weeks, but after the big crash on the third day, it really took me a week to recover. There were some hard days. If I hadn't crashed I'd be okay, but it really put me on the edge. My body wasn't great. Finally, after a week, I recovered. I'm getting a bit stronger now. I'm feeling okay. Assuming I don't finish outside the time cut, I don't see my going home yet."

Giro d'Italia 2012: Latest news

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Pinotti alters Giro plans after losing time in mountains

Pozzato apologises for role in causing crash

Hesjedal has tough day as Giro leader

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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

 

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