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Mark Cavendish wins Tour of Qatar stage

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Qatar hero! British star Cavendish storms to victory on stage three

By
Mike Dawes

PUBLISHED:

15:55 GMT, 5 February 2013

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UPDATED:

16:04 GMT, 5 February 2013

Mark Cavendish claimed his second win for Omega Pharma-QuickStep on stage three of the Tour of Qatar today.

The 27-year-old from the Isle of Man, who joined Omega Pharma-QuickStep following one year at Team Sky, opened his account for the Belgian squad in the Tour de San Luis and added another victory on the 143-kilometre route from Al Wakra to Mesaieed.

A 10-second time bonus accompanied the win and moved Cavendish to fourth overall, eight seconds behind American Brent Bookwalter (BMC Racing), who retained the lead.

All smiles: Mark Cavendish celebrates his stage win in Qatar

All smiles: Mark Cavendish celebrates his stage win in Qatar

Mark Cavendish

Two of Bookwalter's team-mates – American Taylor Phinney and Briton Adam Blythe – remained second and third overall, respectively.

Tomorrow's fourth stage is the 160km route from Camel Race Track to Al Khor Corniche.Cavendish wrote on Twitter:

'Nice to get the win here today in Tour Of Qatar! '@opqscyclingteam just chaperoned me the whole day. Machines! BIG machines! Thanks guys.'

Over the line: Cavendish powers to victory on stage three of the Qatar Tour

Over the line: Cavendish powers to victory on stage three of the Qatar Tour

Mark Cavendish

In an Omega Pharma-QuickStep media release, the Manxman added: 'I felt really strong, so I have to thank my team. They really kept me protected, kept me out of trouble the whole time and gave me energy for the sprint.

'I really had to kick at 350 meters, I was so far back.'

On the prospect of taking overall victory on Friday's final day, he added: 'I think it's best to come here, focus on the stage wins, and hope the GC (general classification) can come from that.'

Mark Cavendish confident of success in 2013

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Keep the faith! Cavendish bullish success will come his way in 2013 after switching to Omega

By
Mike Dawes

PUBLISHED:

09:06 GMT, 2 January 2013

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UPDATED:

11:16 GMT, 2 January 2013

Mark Cavendish believes the Omega Pharma-Quick-Step team can propel him back to winning ways.

The 'Manx Missile' struggled to make an impact at Team Sky last year before failing to win a medal at the London Olympics.

But the world’s fastest sprinter has been impressed with the set-up at his new employers.

New beginning: Mark Cavendish has joined up with his team-mates

New beginning: Mark Cavendish has joined up with his team-mates

New beginning: Mark Cavendish has joined up with his team-mates

'I have to say that the first approach with the team in Slovakia and Mallorca during the training camp was great,' Cavendish said.

'When you come to a new group, you never know how it’s going to go or how to behave. Instead, with this group there was immediate synchrony.

'Everyone here, staff and athletes, really loves cycling and is psyched to be a part of this group that has such a great history. For me, it’s important to be a part of this and to feel the faith around me.’

Cavendish will join his team-mates for a training camp in Spain later this week before making his debut at the Tour de San Luis in Argentina later in January.

'I will probably anticipate my arrival in Spain by a few days, so I can get right down to hard work,' he added.

VIDEO: New year, new team for Cav…

‘It’s going to be an important training camp, during which we’re going to be doing a lot of work to prepare for the start of the season,

‘2013 already looks like is going to be full of events. I want to do well and give back to this fantastic group that has placed so much faith in me,

‘The heritage of this team is incredible; it’s been around since 2003. I’m proud to wear this jersey that Tom (Boonen) and the other guys on the team have made unique in the group.

‘Now I, too, want to contribute and feel like this jersey I’m wearing is even more my own.’

Mark Cavendish involved in road accident in Italy

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Not another one! Cavendish 'relatively ok' after becoming latest British cyclist involved in road accident

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UPDATED:

15:09 GMT, 19 November 2012

Mark Cavendish has become the THIRD British cyclist to be involved in a crash this month after he collided with a car while training in Italy.

The news follows injuries to Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins and British cycling head coach Shane Sutton also sustained this month.

Cavendish broke the news on Twitter, revealing he was 'relatively ok' after colliding with a car while training in Italy.

'OK': Cavendish (right) injured his arm while training in Tuscany

'OK': Cavendish (right) injured his arm while training in Tuscany

The incident happened when the 2011 world road race champion, who last month left Team Sky for Omega Pharma-Lotto, when a car braked suddenly in front of him.

The 27-year-old from the Isle of Man wrote on Twitter: 'Went & hit the back of a car that slammed on today in training. Wasn’t ideal. Apart from a bruised arm, I’m relatively ok. If anyone cares.'

Third time unlucky: Cavendish rides alongside Wiggins (yellow jersey) during this year's Tour de France

Third time unlucky: Cavendish rides alongside Wiggins (yellow jersey) during this year's Tour de France

The collision happened less than two weeks after Wiggins and Sutton were knocked off their bikes in the UK.

Also over the weekend Cavendish, who has now travelled from his home in Tuscany to California, announced his engagement to former model Peta Todd.

Engaged: Cavendish with fiancee Peta Todd earlier this month

Engaged: Cavendish with fiancee Peta Todd earlier this month

Meanwhile, just over a week after he suffered bruising, a fractured rib, a bruised lung and a dislocated finger, Wiggins was back on his bike on Friday morning.

In a separate road accident, British cycling head coach Sutton was also admitted to hospital within 24 hours of Wiggins with a fractured cheek bone.

Mark Cavendish leaves Team Sky for Omega Pharma

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Sky no longer the limit for Cavendish as Brit rider switches to Omega Pharma

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UPDATED:

14:11 GMT, 18 October 2012

Mark Cavendish has left Team Sky to join Belgium team Omega Pharma.

The Manx Missile has been with the Sky for just one year but grew frustrated at the team priorities, most notably their pursuit of the yellow jersey during the 2012 Tour de France.

Cavendish, one of the planet's finest sprinters, had to play a support role to eventual winner Bradley Wiggins throughout, claiming just three stages.

In total, the 27-year-old won 14 Grand Stages for the British team, the last of which came in the Tour of Britain. He also won his first general classification prize – the Ster ZLM Tour – in June.

More to follow….

End of the road: Mark Cavendish has left Team Sky after just one year

End of the road: Mark Cavendish has left Team Sky after just one year

Tony Martin wins Tour of Beijing as Steven Cummings wins final sprint stage

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Martin defends Tour of Beijing title as Briton Cummings wins final stage

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UPDATED:

11:08 GMT, 13 October 2012

Germany's Tony Martin defended his Tour of Beijing title as Britain's Steven Cummings won a sprint finish to take the final stage in the Pinggu District of Beijing.

Cummins, of the BMC Racing Team, beat Garmin-Sharp's Ryder Hesjedal to the line with the peloton following home 18 seconds later.

Omega Pharma-Quickstep rider Martin was not troubled on the final day of the five-stage event, having taken the start boasting a 40-second lead over Francesco Gavazzi, who held on to second place.

Just champion: Germany's Tony Martin defended his Tour of Beijing title

Just champion: Germany's Tony Martin defended his Tour of Beijing title

Edvald Boasson Hagen finished third on the day, enough to move him above Dan Martin for third overall.

Early in the stage, RadioShack-Nissan's Andy Schleck pulled out, leaving the 2010 Tour de France winner without a race victory this year.

Richie Ramsay wins European Masters

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Scot Ramsay completes comfortable four-shot victory at European Masters

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UPDATED:

16:10 GMT, 2 September 2012

Richie Ramsay claimed the second European Tour victory of his career after winning the Omega European Masters title by four shots at Crans-sur-Sierre in the Swiss Alps.

The Scot followed up a blemish-free 64 in his third round with a five-under-par 66 on Sunday which sees him move up to €763,254 million (605,000) in the race to Dubai.

Five birdies on the opening nine holes set up the 29-year-old, and although he bogeyed 13 and 17, an eagle on the par-five 14 made sure of victory.

Top dog: Scotland's Richie Ramsay won the European Masters

Top dog: Scotland's Richie Ramsay won the European Masters

Top dog: Scotland's Richie Ramsay won the European Masters

'I played really well,' Ramsay, whose previous title came at the South African Open Championship three years ago, told europeantour.com. 'It was nice to gradually gain some momentum through the week and find some form as the week went on.

'As the week went on, I got better and better and I couldn't be happier.'

There was a four-way tie for second, with Marcus Fraser, Fredrik Andersson Hed, Romain Wattel and Danny Willett four shots back.

Salute: Mathias Gronberg celebrates his hole in one at the third during the final round of the European Masters

Salute: Mathias Gronberg celebrates his hole in one at the third during the final round of the European Masters

Fraser (66) birdied the first and seventh before making a strong start to the back nine registering under-par scores on 10 and 11.

A bogey on 12 temporarily halted the Australian's momentum, but birdies on 14 and 17 secured a share of runners-up spot.

Andersson Hed (66) produced a bogeyless round, with birdies at one, seven, 14, 15 and 17, while Wattel dropped just one shot, at five, while scoring six birdies as the top four all finished with rounds of 66.

Close but no cigar: Danny Willett (right) was one of four players to finish tied for second

Close but no cigar: Danny Willett (right) was one of four players to finish tied for second

Englishman Willett (69) had an up and down day as although he dropped shots at three, 10 and 11, five birdies ensured he remained in joint second.

Willett's countryman Lee Slattery produced the round of the day to finish tied for 14th; his seven under-par 64 moving him up 40 places from the end of round three and featured eagles at the first and seventh.

Ryder Cup participant Paul Lawrie of Scotland carded a one-under-par 70 to finish tied for six, having started the day joint second behind Ramsay.

European Masters leaderboard: Live leaderboard

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European Masters leaderboard: Keep up to date with the latest scores

The European Tour is at Crans-sur-Sierre this week for the Omega European Masters.

Thomas Bjorn took the title last year and you can keep track of all the latest scores right here.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LIVE LEADERBOARD

Stunning: The Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club

Stunning: The Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club

Ferrari wins Giro d"Italia stage 11 but Cavendish fumes at late pile-up

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Ferrari wins Giro d'Italia stage 11 but Cavendish fumes at late pile-up

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UPDATED:

18:12 GMT, 16 May 2012

Roberto Ferrari won the longest stage of this year's Giro d'Italia from Assisi to Montecatini as Great Britain's Mark Cavendish finished fourth.

Androni Giocattoli rider Ferrari was granted a clear run to the line after a pile-up on the final bend hampered many of the chasing pack, with Cavendish having to ease his pace to avoid the crash.

The Team Sky rider, who was angered by Ferrari after being injured in a crash caused by the Italian on stage three, trailed in behind Francesco Chicchi of Omega Pharma QuickStep and Tomas Vaitkus of Orica GreenEdge.

Victorious: Ferrari (right) wins stage 11 of the Giro, with Cavendish (left) in 4th

Victorious: Ferrari (right) wins stage 11 of the Giro, with Cavendish (left) in 4th

Spain's Joaquim Rodriguez retained the leader's pink jersey, which he took with a late attack on stage 10.

Team Saxo Bank's Manuele Boaro was at the head of the field for almost 230 kilometres of the 258km stage, having been part of an early six-man break and then pulled clear on his own around 30km from home, but was swallowed up again by the peloton.

Fellow Italians Mirko Selvaggi and Giovanni Visconti briefly led before Team Sky and Saxo Bank made parallel charges to the head of the field.

But the latter were badly affected by the late crash and Sky could not get Cavendish to the front either as Ferrari took the honours.

Bradley Wiggins retains yellow jersey after fourth stage of Paris-Nice race

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Wiggins heads into fifth stage of Paris-Nice race with yellow jersey still on his back

Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins still has the yellow jersey after four stages of the Paris-Nice race.

Wiggins finished 10th as the riders contested the 178km stage between Brive-la-Gaillarde and Rodez, enough to keep him six seconds clear at the top of the standings with an overall time of 13 hours, 30 minutes and 52 seconds.

Leader of the pack: Bradley Wiggins retained the yellow jersey going into the fifth stage of the Paris-Nice race

Leader of the pack: Bradley Wiggins retained the yellow jersey going into the fifth stage of the Paris-Nice race

Lotto-Belisol rider Gianni Meersman won the fourth stage, heading the peloton in 4hrs, 21 minutes and 1sec as he edged in front of Grega Bole and Lieuwe Westra on the line.

Levi Leipheimer, of Omega Pharma Quick-Step, remains in second place, six seconds behind Wiggins, with BMC's Tejay van Garderen 11 seconds back.

Man in the middle: Wiggins rides in the pack between Brive-la-Gaillarde and Rodez

Man in the middle: Wiggins rides in the pack between Brive-la-Gaillarde and Rodez

Alejandro Valverde is in possession of the green jersey, with 52 points to his name.

Bradley Wiggins leads Paris-Nice race

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Wiggins takes yellow jersey after finishing up front in Paris-Nice stage two

Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins claimed the leader's yellow jersey at the Paris-Nice race after finishing among the leading group in stage two.

The Great Britain Olympian was a second off the lead heading into the stage from Mantes-la-Jolie to Orleans and benefited as the peloton split up in windy conditions, ending up among the leading group as overnight leader Gustav Larsson was left off the pace.

Leading the way: Bradley Wiggins celebrates on the podium

Leading the way: Bradley Wiggins celebrates on the podium

Wiggins then took the intermediate sprint at Neville-aux-Bois, earning himself a three-second bonus, and stayed towards the head of the field as 21 riders were given the same finishing time.

Omega Pharma-Quickstep's Tom Boonen took the stage honours, the 100th stage win of his cycling career, ahead of JJ Rojas (Movistar) and John Degenkolb (Project 1t4i) but both Wiggins, in 11th, and his team-mate and fellow Briton Geraint Thomas one place ahead of him finished two-and-a-half minutes ahead of Larsson.

Wiggins' advantage is just six seconds over Levi Leipheimer, whose team-mate Boonen is a further second back in third. Thomas lies ninth, while Larsson fell to 22nd.

'I'm delighted I managed to take the jersey,' Wiggins told Sky Sports News.
'There were a lot of crashes and we're a bit battered and bruised. The weather plays a massive part, the roundabouts are slippery and there were people crashing.

Green shoots: The pack rides towards the Orleans finish

Green shoots: The pack rides towards the Orleans finish

'You're always a couple of seconds away from potentially losing everything, once you go down you're not going to come back to the front so you're riding a tightrope the whole day – it's a relief to be finished and on the bus.'

The race marks an important part of Wiggins and his team's preparations for this summer's Tour de France, and he was unsurprisingly encouraged by their progress.

He continued: 'We're in great shape, the winter's gone well and we're here to win the race, it's a big stepping stone towards July.

'I'm in the shape of my life, the coaching team have pushed me hard all winter – the goal is July and our condition and form is fantastic.'