Cavendish wins again in Missouri

Eurosport - Wed, 09 Sep 15:31:00 2009

Mark Cavendish won his second straight stage and 25th race of the year in a repeat mass sprint ending to the second stage of the Tour of Missouri.

CYCLING 2009 Tour de France Mark Cavendish - 0

Cavendish, the six-times stage Tour de France stage winner this year, emerged at the front just before the finish of the 180.9 kilometre Sainte Genevieve to Cape Cirardeau stage.

The 26-year-old Cavendish, who won three Tour of Missouri stages last year, also extended his slim overall race lead.

Thor Hushovd of Norway and Juan Jose Haedo of Argentina finished second and third, the reverse of the duo's placings in the opening circuit race on Monday in St Louis, also won by Cavendish.

American Christian Vande Velde, the defending champion, withdrew just after the start of the second stage.

Vande Velde, eighth overall in the Tour de France, fractured a finger in a late crash but was expected to continue.

Just after the start of the second stage, however, Vande Velde, who also crashed out of the Giro d'Italia, pedalled back towards the start and abandoned the third-year event.

Three riders built more than a 4 1/2-minute lead in the second stage, but the fast-paced peloton caught the final two escapees, Francois Parisien of Canada and American Timothy Duggan, on the wide road seven kilometres before the finish.

The $170,000 race continues on Wednesday with the 165.3 kilometre Farmington to Rolla road race. The seven-stage event concludes on Sunday in Kansas City.

Vuelta a Espana stage 11 LIVE at 3pm on Wednesday on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

Reuters

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  1. eurosport im sure the manx missile is 24 and not 26?!!

    From djwiners, on Wed 9 Sep 10:47PM

  2. WHAT NO MOANING BY HURSHVOLD TODAY A MIRICLE

    From callum, on Wed 9 Sep 3:17PM

  3. Thankyou liz for answering my question!

    From mgh0302, on Wed 9 Sep 11:14AM

  4. mgh0302, you are sharp! if cav slicker than a whale­ @#$% on an ice flow why are columbia riders so quick to­ leave?

    From veloboy22, on Wed 9 Sep 10:45AM

  5. mgh0302, Cav isnt doing TOB, American sponsors of­ Columbia wanted Cav getting exposure for them in US so­ pulled him out of TOB. I guess that's what happens­ when you're with a US team and No 1 sprinter in the­ world. Bad news for all Brits though. Wiggo is doing­ TOB though.

    From Liz S, on Wed 9 Sep 10:42AM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Another fabulous performance. If he's in America­ this week does this mean he won't be competing in­ the Tour of Britain which starts in the next couple of­ days???

    From mgh0302, on Wed 9 Sep 10:17AM

  7. It's gotta be a relief for everyone at the Vuelta­ that Cav's busy popping stages in Missouri!

    From mattinson.richard, on Wed 9 Sep 9:27AM

  8. I believe if you put Cav on a uni-cycle with a flat­ tyre he could still win!.

    Just an idea but,, how about­ a little screen on the back of his saddle showing the­ news or the stage finish live so that the others­ don't get TOO bored... :-)

    Well done Mr Cavendish.­ A legend already!

    From obriendonal, on Wed 9 Sep 9:14AM

  9. Congratulations again Cav. Unstoppable. Hushovd must be­ sick of seeing the back of the Manxman's shorts!

    From Liz S, on Tue 8 Sep 11:14PM
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