Mark Cavendish makes Dimension Data debut: 'I didn’t do any worse than I imagined'
Mark Cavendish happy with performance at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in Australia
Mark Cavendish was content following a low-key road season debut with new team Dimension Data at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on Sunday.
The 30-year-old withdrew from the 173.9km race, which compatriot Peter Kennaugh (Sky) won, with a lap to go having aided the newly minted WorldTour outfit that fell just short of its podium aim.
Cavendish was uncertain of his road race form leading into the event with track commitments, including the UCI World Cup in Hong Kong earlier this month, occupying his time.
>>> Peter Kennaugh wins Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
“I had a heart rate monitor on just to see where I’m at and I actually had a quite high heart rate around the circuit. To be fair, I didn’t do any worse than I imagined and I didn’t do any better than I imagined. With how hard the race was I’m disappointed not to finish but I’m not heartbroken about my form,” he said.
The 2011 road world champion was gracious during the race, the punchy course for which comprised a large out and back loop incorporating the Surf Coast and a smaller finishing circuit in Geelong. When it became clear the undulating terrain was too much the Manxman was seen on the broadcast ferrying bidons to teammates.
“That’s actually what cooked me in the end, was going back for bottles and the race went on,” he mused.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
>>> Bernie Eisel: ‘The gang is back together with Mark Cavendish’
“I was always going to try and stay up there anyway, on the big circuit, and keep the lads out of the wind. If it was hard they were alright to go, if it was easier on the circuit then I could still be there anyway.”
Nathan Haas was the team’s best placed rider finishing sixth in a 19-man group that could not catch Kennaugh.
Cavendish will continue his season at the Dubai Tour and Tour of Qatar in February with stronger road legs having marked a productive two-week training block in Victoria, Australia this month.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Sophie Smith is an Australian journalist, broadcaster and author of Pain & Privilege: Inside Le Tour. She follows the WorldTour circuit, working for British, Australian and US press, and has covered 10 Tours de France.
-
Collapsed lung, concussion and multiple fractures: Fundraiser set up for first ever Tour de France Féminin winner following crash
Marianne Martin crashed earlier in October and is looking to raise $20,000 to help her get back on her feet
By Adam Becket Published
-
Gravel riders - get ready, set, register! A guide to 2025's biggest gravel events and key registration dates
Here are the registration dates for gravel’s biggest events around the globe
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins to reunite on the bike to raise money for US hurricane relief
The British knights will be joined by Jan Ullrich at the Gran Fondo Hincapie next week
By Adam Becket Published
-
'One of the boys thinks I’ll be walking about in armour': Mark Cavendish knighted in ceremony at Windsor Castle
Manxman says he was “nervous” after being made a Knight Commander by Prince William
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Mark Cavendish
From working in a bank to breaking records on the Champs-Élysées
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'There aren't many accolades left for him to get': Mark Cavendish knighted in King's Birthday Honours list
The sprinter follows in the wheel tracks of Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It was surreal' - Mark Cavendish turns up at local Isle of Man race, finishes 29th
The Manxman, a big supporter of his home scene, pinned on race numbers last weekend
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Mark Cavendish has a run-in with police dogs
The Brit was sniffed out at the UAE Tour, and reacted as all of us would
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Mark Cavendish takes mid-race selfie with fan
It was photo time at the Tour Colombia in another wild week on social media
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Mark Cavendish robbery: Police say ‘net is closing in’ on final suspect linked to violent raid
Essex police say time is running out for George Goddard who is wanted in connection with the attack on the Cavendish family home
By Tom Thewlis Published