2011 has had an absolutely dreadful start for the Manx Missile. He had severe crashes in Australia and Qatar, and not even a win on his record heading into today's stage in Oman.But it looks like today was the first step of Mark Cavendish getting back into his usual form before Milan San-Remo and the rest of the classics.
He was the only one of the usual sprint titans that was really in the mix today, and had no trouble crushing the field after a solid leadout from teammate (and stage 2 winner) Matt Goss. Russian Denis Galimzyanov and Italian Andrea Guardini rounded out the top 3, but Cav was already in celebration mode by the time they hit the line.
Thor Hushovd was near the front, but managed only 6th. Other major sprinters were stage 1/3 winner Theo Bos (10th), Daniele Bennati (11th), 2nd overall Edvald Boasson-Hagen (12th), and Tom Boonen (28th).
This win was actually quite important for Cavendish. It would have really left a negative impact on his confidence if he returned from Qatar/Oman without a single victory. The fact that it was the last stage should also be fresh in his memory, and give him and his team confidence heading into the classics.
Meanwhile it was smooth sailing for Robert Gesink, as he cruised with the peloton to easily wrap up one of the biggest overall wins of his career. This week was a statement to the other climbers and the rest of the cycling world that he means business, and his performance in the ITT yesterday may even put him as an outside threat in the Grand Tours.
The entire top of the leaderboard essentially remained unchanged, as Boasson-Hagen and Visconti also finished comfortably in the main field.
Stage Results1. Mark Cavendish
2. Denis Galimzyanov
3. Andrea Guardini
Final Podium
1. Robert Gesink
2. Edvald Boasson-Hagen
3. Giovanni Visconti
No comments:
Post a Comment