Cavendish hit with lung infection

Eurosport - Fri, 11 Sep 09:20:00 2009

Early leader Mark Cavendish of Britain pulled out of the Tour of Missouri before the start of the fourth stage because of a lung infection.

CYCLING 2009 Tour du Qatar Mark Cavendish - 0

A 10 times Tour de France stage winner, Cavendish had won the first two stages in the week-long race in Missouri and was second in the overall standings.

"Mark has been fighting an infection since travelling to the United States and it has spread to his lungs," said Bob Stapleton, owner of Columbia-HTC, the cyclist's California-based team.

"He has had a long season and it is a team priority that his general health be protected."

According to team officials, the 24-year-old Cavendish is taking antibiotics and will remain in Missouri for a few days before returning to Europe.

Cavendish won six individual stages in this year's Tour de France and two stages in the Giro d'Italia. He has piled up 25 individual career wins.

Argentina's Juan Jose Haedo outsprinted Norwegian Thor Hushovd in the final 100 metres to win the fourth stage and grab the overall lead.

Four seconds behind the pacesetting Hushovd overnight, Haedo surged uphill to the finish line to claim the 175.7 kilometre St. James to Jefferson City stage in four hours, seven minutes and 55 seconds.

The 28-year-old sprint specialist, who was in third place overall after the third stage, has never before led a stage race.

Hushovd, the sprint competition winner at this year's Tour de France, crossed the line in second place with Italy's Dario Cataldo close behind in third.

The seven-stage Tour of Missouri continues on Friday with the 30.6km Sedalia individual time trial. The race finishes in Kansas City on Sunday.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 10 of 10

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  1. Does anyone know whether Cavendish plans to take a­ serious shot at the World Championships or not?

    From Stephen, on Fri 11 Sep 11:50PM

  2. 25 wins this season not career more inaccurate­ reporting from Eurosport.

    From jbandbetsymac, on Fri 11 Sep 11:33PM

  3. I am not sure if I am the only one but is “Liz S” short­ for Mellissa? If not fair enough and I agree with 95%­ of what you post. If so fair enough really……;)

    From hanif_jetha, on Fri 11 Sep 1:38PM

  4. Long season. A lot of travel. The unstoppable is­ stopped by a 'bug'

    From Maxx92, on Fri 11 Sep 1:05PM

  5. I bet he's chocked that he has to withdraw.

    From keir_williams, on Fri 11 Sep 12:44PM

  6. none-post 2, Check out the result of this year's­ Milan-San Remo.

    From Andy, on Fri 11 Sep 12:41PM

  7. Pehaps give him the benefit of the doubt that he does­ have a lung infection and then think, wow he won those­ races even though he was fighting an infection.­ Explains why he didnt win the third stage. He was­ really ill.

    From Liz S, on Fri 11 Sep 8:48AM

  8. Cavendish abandons? SHOCKING!!!

    From none, on Fri 11 Sep 5:44AM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    What are you talking about? The article said that he is­ 24. And anyway, who cares? He only wins stages, not­ races; and if that doesn't go his way, he just­ abandons anyway.

    From none, on Fri 11 Sep 5:40AM

  10. Cavendish is 24 NOT 26 , this is the second day­ you've got it wrong.

    From tuggo, on Fri 11 Sep 12:24AM
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