Mark Cavendish scores second season win at Tirreno-Adriatico
Alberto Contador poised for overall victory ahead of final stage
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Mark Cavendish won the penultimate stage of Tirreno-Adriatico today after a fine tactical display from his Omega Pharma-Quick Step teammates.
Cavendish sprinted across the line solo ahead of his pilot Alessandro Petacchi and Peter Sagan (Cannondale).
Key rivals Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol) and Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) were not in the mix at the end of the 189km run from Bucchianico to Porto Sant’Elpidio.
Cannondale ensured Kittel was dropped inside the last 40km setting a furious pace on the final climb of the day before the flat finishing circuit. The quadruple Tour de France stage winner Kittel was supported by four teammates and made a valiant though unsuccessful attempt to rejoin the main group.
Lotto Belisol contributed to the pace making with Cannondale as Omega Pharma-Quick Step smartly bided its time in the pack.
Cavendish’s teammates started to move up with 15km to go and avoided a crash in the final 2km that took out Greipel’s key lieutenants and forced both the German and Sagan to close a gap to the Quick Step train. The duo did but it took a toll and Greipel, clearly fatigued, did not have the legs to contest the sprint.
“To get the lead-out technically perfect like we did we’re super, super happy with that,” Cavendish said.
"It would have been nice to sprint against Kittel and Greipel but we’ll celebrate tonight.”
Manxman Peter Kennaugh (Sky) was in the main break of the day that included Jack Bauer (Garmin-Sharp), Steve Morabito (BMC) and Cesare Benedetti (NetApp-Endura).
The latter was dropped with some 20km remaining and Kennaugh sat-up inside the last 14km. With 10km to go the last two escapees were caught before the peloton squashed a late attack from Philippe Gilbert (BMC).
The race concludes tomorrow with an individual time trial. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) has a handy buffer in the overall standings.
Results
Tirreno-Adriatico 2014, stage six: Bucchianico to Porto Sant’Elpidio, 189km
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Omega Pharma-QuickStep 4-16-15
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Omega Pharma-QuickStep
3. Peter Sagan (Svk) Cannondale
4. Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ.fr
5. Tony Hurel (Fra) Europcar
6. Robert Wagner (Ger) Belkin
7. Kristian Sbaragli (Ita) MTN-Qhubeka
8. Bartosz Huzarski (Pol) NetApp-Endura
9. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Omega Pharma-QuickStep
10. Davide Appollonio (Ita) Ag2r La Mondiale
Overall classification after stage six
1. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo
2. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar at 2-08
3. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Tinkoff-Saxo at 2-15
4. Julian Arredondo (Col) Trek at 2-39
5. Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) Ag2r La Mondiale at 2-40
6. Mikel Nieve (Spa) Sky at 2-50
7. Daniel Moreno (Spa) Katusha at 2-51
8. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Ag2r La Mondiale at 2-56
9. Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Katusha at 2-58
10. Robert Kiserlovski (Cro) Trek at 3-06
Thank you for reading 10 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
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
-
Saudi Tour 2023: Simone Consonni powers to stage five win, Ruben Guerreiro wraps up overall victory
Italian Consonni outsprinted Dylan Groenewegen to land an impressive victory for Cofidis
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
CW Live: Bolton Equities Black Spoke share images of new Pinarello Dogma; Rapha undergoes refinancing operation; Team GB land mixed relay silver medal at cyclo-cross worlds
All the cycling news you need this Friday
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
In photos: Mark Cavendish through the years, all his teams and kits
18 years, six teams, 161 wins. Will 2023 be a last hurrah for the British champion?
By Adam Becket • Published
-
CW Live: Mark Cavendish to start season at Oman; Giro wildcards unveiled; UCI updates Covid rules; Amsterdam builds underwater garage for 7,000 bikes; Cavendish family 'terrorised' by robbery; and LTNs do not push traffic onto boundary roads
All the news you need in the world of cycling this Thursday. It's cold!
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Last chance saloon: Why has Mark Cavendish ended up at Astana? And will it work?
The British champion has joined the sixth different team of his professional career in the hunt for one more Tour de France stage win
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Mark Cavendish signs for Astana-Qazaqstan and will remain on the WorldTour for 2023
The transfer saga is over, Mark Cavendish has officially found a team, and will chase the Tour de France stage win record
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
CW LIVE: Mark Cavendish threatened with knife in home robbery; Israel-Premier Tech and Uno-X receive wildcard invites to the Tour de France; Sonny Colbrelli looking to enter politics and concerns raised over Van Aert and Van der Poel appearance fees
All the latest news from the world of cycling
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
CW Live: Van der Poel and Pieterse win Herentals CX; Mark Cavendish still not at Astana; Lizzie Deignan awarded MBE; 1.7% of bike theft cases result in a charge; Egan Bernal targets Tour de France return?
Happy new year from Cycling Weekly, here's everything you need to know this Tuesday
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
CW Live: Mark Cavendish reportedly set to sign for Astana; Tom Pidcock smashes Sa Calobra KOM; London cycle lane gritting row; Ineos Grenadiers release new kit; Mathieu van der Poel 'scared' on Val di Sole snow; Lotto-Dstny skipping Giro d'Italia
All the news in the world of cycling you need to read
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Is Mark Cavendish heading to Astana?
The Manx Missile has been heavily linked to Astana since the departure of their GC rider Miguel Ángel López
By Adam Hart • Published