First Stage Win Of 2009 For Cavendish

Last updated : 04 February 2009 By Covsupport News Service
Mark Cavendish became the third British rider to win a stage in the Tour Of Qatar when he took today's fourth stage in Madinat Al Shamal.

After being thwarted by a puncture in yesterday's third stage, the Team Colombia sprinter, who won thirteen tour stages last season, had to contend with cross winds of over 60km an hour, but out-sprinted Tom Boonen to take the 141 km stage in a time of 4hr 4 mins and 55 seconds.




The other finishing positions of the British riders today were Daniel Lloyd 6th, Roger Hammond 10th, Jeremy Hunt 20th, Ben Swift 128th and Bradley Wiggins 130th out of 132 who completed the stage.

Boonen leads the General Classification with Brits Roger Hammond second and Daniel Lloyd fourth. Mark Cavendish is ninth.

Stage Five tomorrow is 147.5km long from the Camel Race Track to the Qatar Foundation with the final stage on Friday.

Great Britain are to send a 23 strong team to the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Copenhagen.

Olympic heroes Chris Hoy, Vicky Pendleton, Jamie Staff and Jason Kenny are in the squad for the Championships from Friday February 13th - Sunday February 15th.