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.?
| 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
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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