Cavendish Wins Tour Of Qatar Third Stage

Last updated : 07 February 2012 By Kev Monks

Mark Cavendish won the Tour Of Qatar third stage today.

Stage Three was from Dukhan to Al Gharafa Stadium and was 146.5 km long.

The race on a windy day, was split into two groups with the first gaining some two and a half minutes on the second. This first group included points leader Adam Blythe in the silver jersey along with race leader Tom Boonen.

With ten kilometres to go, the riders were all back in one group and now trying to get their main men in position for what was shaping up to be a bunch sprint.

Mark Cavendish was brought up by team-mate Bernie Eisel who had gone with him from HTC Highroad to Team Sky.

Green Edge were on the front with a kilometre to go but Cavendish spotted the gap and beat Tom Boonen to the line with Kropis third in a time of 3hr 23mins 48 seconds.

picture  pic.twitter.com/J6skJQIh

Tom Boonen keeps his leaders jersey.

Speaking to Eurosport after the stage, Cavendish said: "I'm very happy. I'm still not one hundred per cent but the team rode well. I wanted to come off Boonen's wheel. I had to wait and then came off Boonen to win.

"I am proud to be wearing the World Champions jersey and want to do it proud. It was important to get my first victory and hopefully more will follow."

Stage Four tomorrow is from Al Thakhira to Madinat and is 144km long.