Breaking a little bit of self-imposed radio silence to post about today’s win by Mark Cavendish in the the second stage of the Tour of Turkey. After some flashes of strength in the early part of the season the Manxman ended a three year dry spell to take the win today in the 144.9-km ride around Konya. Making it all that much more sweet, he blew past Jasper Philipsen and old rival Andre Greipel in the final meters to win by a wheel.
The win marks the 147th in his career.
The 35-year-old, who was pondering retirement last season, had joined Dimension Data in 2016 before spending a season at Bahrain-McLaren. He rejoined Deceuninck-Quick Step in 2021, a team he notched many wins for early in his career.
“It’s incredible, it’s super nice and I never get tired of this feeling! Everyone on the team was incredibly committed today and that was very important. I knew after yesterday that I had the speed needed to win and I also knew that if I would be on Greipel’s wheel, I would have a shot coming into the last couple of hundred meters. Philipsen jumped early and had a small gap, but I had enough to make up ground and I must say I was quite surprised at how quickly I came in the final meters of the stage”, Mark explained after his eighth victory at the race, which netted him the lead in the overall standings and the points classification.
“I want to thank Deceuninck – Quick-Step and Patrick for giving me this opportunity. Patrick believed in me and I am so lucky to be here in this special team, in this family. Some people didn’t think I could get back to winning, but he did and for that I am grateful. Just to get back to winning after what I’ve been through in the last couple of years is truly incredible. To win again was emotional and to hug all my teammates after the finish was amazing. What made me super proud was that Fabio was involved in this, working at the front in the finale together with the other guys, especially after what he has been through. As I said, this team is a family and I am happy to be part of it”, added Mark after his 45 victory with the Wolfpack.
Cavendish, who has won 30 stages on the Tour de France and is considered one of the best sprinters in the event’s history, also won the 2011 world championships’ road race.
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