There was a bunch sprint at the end of the 182 kilometre stage from Salt to Banyoles and Cavendish was first over the line ahead of Argentina's Juan Jose Haedo and Aitor Galdos of Spain.
The win was Cavendish's 52nd in his career and he told the HTC Colombia press office after the race, "There were a lot of teams scraping for position at the end and it was quite dangerous.
"But even though we've got a young squad here and they're still learning the ropes, they stayed together and gave it 100 percent. Without them I wouldn't have been able to do my sprint. I wouldn't have been there.
"By this point in the season last year I had six victories. This time the year began badly and not to have won anything so far has been frustrating. But my form's been getting better and better and the team never lost faith in me."
Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/ZC