Cavendish Wins Tour Of Dubai

Last updated : 07 February 2015 By Covsupport News Service
Mark Cavendish has won the second Tour Of Dubai.
 
John Degenkolb took a slender four second lead over Mark Cavendish going into the final stage of 123.8kms which finished at the iconic Burg Khalifa.
 
Five riders in Daniel Oss, Mancebo, Canola, Paterski and Manuele Boaro were in the break of the day which stood at 3.50 with one hundred kilometres left.
 
It dropped to 2.45 twenty kilometres later and then to 2.30 with 56 kilometres left.
 
However, by the time that Boaro had taken the second sprint, going into the last thirty kilometres of the race, their lead stood at 1.02.
 
With twenty kilometres to go, Boaro attacked and went off on his own but was caught with four kilometres left.
 
‎Etixx and Team Sky moved to the front and Cavendish took the sprint to win the stage ahead of Viviani and Lobato in 2.37.15 and the race overall. 
 
Cavendish said to his team's website: "I didn't really have to do much, the team did everything.
 
"We were really motivated today. It was a tough breakaway, but Etixx - Quick-Step did a great job controlling it with the help of Giant Alpecin. Then the leadout was absolutely phenomenal. It was so fast there was a gap before I started to sprint. I looked and I saw the gap, and I went a little bit early so I could keep the gap and it all worked out perfectly.
 
"This was a win by Etixx - Quick-Step today. The guys were fantastic. That was really something special. I'm so proud of them and proud to get the Blue jersey at the end as well. I'm really happy. This is my 3rd stage win, and Gianni Meersman also won a race down in Australia, so we're looking forward to another successful year for Etixx - Quick-Step. I'm also super thrilled that this is the 3rd GC victory of my career. Here at Dubai Tour it's not exactly a sprinter's race, but it can favour people who can sprint. I know for sure last year I wasn't looking for the GC. This year I came here in good form. It wasn't really something I was expecting, but with the way the guys have been working all week it was something special to finish off with the GC win. This also shows I am on target for my next goals in the racing calendar. It's super encouraging for what's next, for me as well as my teammates who I want to thank for everything they did at Dubai Tour."