• Cycling

Cavendish grabs landmark win

ESPN staff
June 17, 2012
Mark Cavendish won the race by eight seconds © PA Photos
Enlarge

Mark Cavendish proved the wide-ranging nature of his talents on Sunday by claiming the first general classification victory of his career at the Ster ZLM Toer.

Team Sky rider Cavendish, who will be looking to defend the sprinters' title at the Tour de France over the coming weeks, triumphed by eight seconds ahead of Lars Boom of the Rabobank team.

Cavendish laid the platform for victory with a brave performance in Saturday's queen stage, showing his powers of endurance as he kept himself competitive on the hilly route.

On the final stage from Schijndel to Boxtel on Sunday, which finished with a bunch sprint orchestrated by Team Sky and Rabobank, Cavendish finished in the front group to stay ahead of Boom.

The Tour de France starts in Liege on June 30, swiftly followed by the Olympic Road Race - and Cavendish is feeling positive ahead of those gruelling tests.

"I'm training really well," he said. "I wanted to be in my best form and am definitely in it so I'm looking forward to France now and hopefully Team Sky getting the green and yellow jerseys."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices