Cavendish looking for Giro revenge

Mark Cavendish Giro stage 3 2009

Mark Cavendish (Columbia) finished the Giro d'Italia stage to San Martino di Castrozza on Tuesday comfortably in the large gruppetto with the other sprinters.

He quickly recovered from his effort. He was still disappointed about failing to win a sprint in the pink jersey and about the finale of Monday?s stage but he is already looking ahead to getting revenge later in the week.

?I was ok. I was just getting through. The important thing is that we got the jersey back,? he said as he enjoyed a well-deserved drink and got dressed to protect himself from the cold.

?I was disappointed to lose the jersey for a bit but things have gone in our favour today and we got it back. Last year I was struggling to make the gruppetto. Now I?m not??

?I?m thinking about Milan but there?s also the stage to Chiavenna when we drop back into Italy from Switzerland.?

ZABEL: ?HE?S LEARNING ALL THE TIME?

Team Columbia?s special sprint consultant Erik Zabel revealed that he had talked to Cavendish after the disappointment of stage three to Valdobbiadene. It is revealing inside view of their close relationship.

?After the finish I let Mark rest up on the bus and then we did the transfer together. He cooled down pretty quickly and got over the disappointment,? Zabel told Cycling Weekly.

?He knows things like that can happen all the time and that he was probably a little bit too far behind in that moment.?

?He?s learning all the time and at this Giro he?s learnt what it?s like to wear an important leader?s jersey. There?s a lot of extra pressure responsibility and things to do. Sprinters usually like to hide in the peloton, chilling out but in the Rosa jersey you can?t do that. It was another lesson he learnt yesterday.?

Zabel waited at the finish for Cavendish and helped him put on some warm clothes and gave him a supportive pat on the back.

?Despite what?s happened, it?s been a great start to the Giro for Mark. He reached so many goals. It?s very stimulating for me to work with him. The days are long but it?s a like taking a paid vacation with friends, so it?s nice.?

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Giro d'Italia 2009 links

Stage reports

Stage four: Di Luca denies Soler on the line; Lovkvist takes pink jersey

Stage three: Cavendish loses pink jersey after being caught behind late crash

Stage two: Petacchi denies Cavendish the stage win

Stage one: Cavendish in pink as Columbia prove their point to Garmin

Photo galleries

Stage four photo gallery

Stage three photo gallery

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one photo gallery

News

Armstrong happy with stage four performance

Lovkvist will fight to keep Giro lead

Giro could be last race for Armstrong's team

Vande Velde crashes out of Giro

Petacchi claims he didn't know of Cavendish crash

Cavendish struggles to find consolation in pink jersey

Petacchi: I've been working out how to beat Cav

I'm wearing pink on behalf of the team, says Cavendish

Wiggins ready to win Giro team time trial

Friday, May 8: Giro news round-up

Cavendish out to topple Garmin in Giro team time trial

Team time trial start times

Cycling Weekly's Giro d'Italia top ten prediction

Brits in Venice for Giro presentation

Armstrong overshadows overall favourites at Giro presentation

Armstrong confident of finding new sponsor for Astana

Armstrong working to save Astana team

Wiggins in top form for Giro

Garmin Slipstream kitted out for Giro opener

Dan Lloyd gets late Giro call-up

Armstrong's special Giro bikes unveiled

Daniel Lloyd overlooked for Giro ride

Cummings and Thomas not selected for Giro d'Italia

Cavendish tests Giro form at Tour of Romandie

David Millar confirms he's riding in 2009 Giro

Bennati to take on Cavendish in Giro 2009 sprints

2009 Giro d'Italia to start in Venice

Evans and Silence-Lotto disagree on Giro 2009 ride

Armstrong to ride 2009 Giro

Tuttosport reveals 2009 Giro d'Italia route

Dolce & Gabbana design new Giro jersey

2009 Giro d'Italia guide and features

Find the pink jersey competition

Giro d'Italia 2009: The Big Preview

British riders to have led the grand tours

CW's Giro top ten prediction

Brits in the Giro 2009

Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Cavendish

CW Classic: the 1987 Giro d'Italia

2008 Giro d'Italia archive

Giro d'Italia 2008 coverage index - race reports, photos, results

From rule Britannia to cruel Britannia

Giro 2008: The final word on this year's race

Brits at the 2008 Giro: photo special

Five days to go, what's in store?

Giro d'Italia 2008: Rest day review (May 27)

Giro d'Italia 2008: Rest day review (May 19)

Giro d'Italia 2008 preview

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