Tour de France stage 2: Cavendish wins sprint

Mark Cavendish, Tour de France 2009 stage 2

published 5 July 2009

Tour de France stage two photo gallery by Graham Watson>>

Mark Cavendish got another perfect lead out from his Columbia team mates and then produced another perfect finishing surge to win the first sprint at the 2009 Tour de France in Brignoles on Sunday.

"I said I was in good form and all the team was motivated for the sprint, with all nine of us riding on the front, it showed we meant business. I didn't know if I'd opened my legs or if it'd takes a few day to ride in but I felt good today. I rode intelligently early on, following the wheels and saving energy. It was a pretty long sprint but I didn't want to make a mistake like I did in Giro and be lazy, so I went early and hung out there."

Cavendish's rivals had threatened to come up with all kinds of tricks to beat him but yet again his Columbia team mates took control of the peloton after the early four-rider break was reeled in with 10km to go. Sprint consultant Erik Zabel had studied the finish and told the team to go on the left of the key roundabout and have two riders to lead out Cav in the final corners. That's what they did and it worked.

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Tour de France stage 2: Cavendish wins sprint

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