Cavendish Wins Tirreno Adriatico Team Time Trial

Last updated : 12 March 2014 By Covsupport News Service

Mark Cavendish leads the Tirreno Adriatico after his Omega Pharma Quick Step team won the opening Team Time Trial.

This eight day race of the two seas in Italy started with an 18.5km team time trial from Donoratico to San Vincenzo.

MTN Qhubeka set the early time to beat, coming home in 21.31 which lasted until IAM Cycling finished in 21.03.

BMC included Philippe Gilbert in their team and they knocked three seconds of the time set by the Swiss team.

Bradley Wiggins was in the Team Sky Team which went down the ramp as Europcar came home not troubling the leaders.

Cannondale took over as leaders, getting their five riders over the line  in 20.39 but it was only temporary as Orica Green Edge finished in 20.24 to set the new bench mark.

Team Sky finished in 20.40 for third place which dropped to fourth when Alberto Contador's Tinkoff Saxo team finished thirteen seconds down on Orica Green Edge's time.

Movistar, with British time trial champion in their team, took over provisional second place with a finishing time of 20.31.

Mark Cavendish was brought to the front by his Omega Pharma Quick Step team and they took over the race lead by finishing in a time of 20.13 with Lotto Belisol left on the course.

Lotto finished in 20.41 and Cavendish leads the race going into the first stage.