CYCLING: Third place for Cav in Stage One of UAE Tour 

Cavendish happy with performance in event opener 

The Manx Missile has started strong in the UAE Tour.

The event got an explosive opening Stage One from Al Dhafra Castle to Al Mirfa with a crosswind hitting the peloton just from KM 0 of the race. 

Astana’s two riders Cees Bol and Mark Cavendish made the first and second main groups, respectively.

The two groups came back together with 45km to go then saw Cavendish among the leaders following a new split that saw 13 racers break-away. 

This group played Stage 1 win in a sprint with Mark Cavendish finishing third.

Speaking to Astana Qazaqstan, Mark Cavendish said:

“At the start it was all about positioning. With Cees we both went in the first group, but in a moment I got something like a stone on the side of the road and I lost my position in the front, dropping to the second group. However, Cees still was there in the front, and I had not pull in my group, just staying on the wheel all the time. When we came back together, I just jumped on the wheel of Cees, following him in the group. He is a great rider just to stay behind on his wheel. There was a right-side split in the group and the riders with GC ambitions worked hard in front, trying to keep the second group away. I just stayed there ready for the sprint. I was squeezed a bit on the last corner, but still did my best in the sprint, finishing on the podium and that’s not bad. Actually, I am happy I was there for the sprint, with my form and with support of Cees in the final."