Cavendish ends winless drought with victory in Spain
British sprinter Mark Cavendish ended a six-month wait for a victory on Tuesday after surging clear of a bunch sprint finish to win the second stage of the Tour of Catalunya.
The HTC-Columbia rider took victory after clearly outpacing second-placed Argentine Juan Jose Haedo and third-placed Spaniard Aitor Galdos in Banyoles.
The winner of 24 races in 2009, including six stages of the Tour de France, Cavendish´s victory was his first since the second stage of the Tour of Missouri on Sept. 8.
“More than relieved I feel proud to be winning here because it shows the team never lost confidence in me,” Cavendish told reporters.
“We´ve got a young team here in Catalunya and it could have been difficult for them to commit themselves. Instead of that they gave it 100 per cent, never lost faith in me and that fills me with a sense of pride and gratitude.”
Cavendish pointed out that he had enjoyed six wins, including the Milan-San Remo Classic, by this point in 2009.
However, the 24-year-old was forced to delay this season´s race start by two weeks after his pre-season training was wrecked by illness caused by a badly infected tooth.
“This time the year began badly and not to have won anything has been frustrating.
“I could have won a stage in the Tirreno-Adriatico and then I had bad luck in Milan-San Remo this year. But gradually things have got better and today I got the win.”
Germany´s Paul Voss remains the overall leader after his surprise win in Monday´s opening time-trial.
The Milram rider will be certain to face attacks on Wednesday´s mountainous 185.9km stage from La Vall d´En Bas to La Seu d´Urgell.
Luxembourg´s Andy Schleck, last year´s Tour de France runner-up, did not start Tuesday´s race due to an upset stomach.
The Tour of Catalunya finishes in Montmelo on Sunday.
