Mark Cavendish wins third stage in a row
After avoiding a huge crash in the sprint, the British star continues to dominate the Tour of Turkey
Mark Cavendish claimed a third consecutive victory in the Tour of Turkey, avoiding a huge crash in the sprint finish.
Deceuninck - Quick-Step rider Cavendish was perfectly positioned in the final once again during the pan-flat stage four, holding his sprint until the final 200 metres.
Cavendish launched his sprint in pursuit of Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix), catching the Belgian's wheel 100m from the line and surging past to take his third win of the eight-stage race.
The 35-year-old leads the Tour of Turkey with a 12-second advantage over Philipsen.
After previously saying his confidence is growing following his first two wins in Turkey this week, Cavendish went into stage four as the overall leader with full support from his team.
Raced over 184km from Alanya to Kemer, the day looked like another opportunity for the sprinters, with Philipsen and André Greipel (Israel Start-Up Nation) both hoping to combat Cavendish's return to glowing form.
The day's three-rider breakaway were swept up early with 20km still to race, as the sprint trains turned their attention to the fast finish.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Cavendish and Deceuninck stayed away from the front of the bunch until 3km to go when they pulled their sprinter to the front and maintained position into the last kilometre.
Into the closing metres and it was Alpecin-Fenix who led the bunch for Philipsen, with Cavendish close behind ready to chase.
Philipsen then found himself on the front too early, with just over 200m to go, forcing him to sprint while looking over his shoulder for Cavendish.
Behind the frontrunners, a number of riders came together causing a huge crash that sent riders right a cross the road and into the barriers, completely blocking the rest of the peloton.
Meanwhile Cavendish surged up to Philipsen's wheel and powered past with his head low in trademark style, taking yet another victory and cementing his dominance in the 2021 Tour of Turkey.
Cavendish is on a one-year contract with Deceuninck - Quick-Step after fearing the premature end to his career last season as he struggled to find a new team.
The winner of 30 Tour de France stages said he wanted to win at least one race this season, but he has proven his comeback is complete by winning three this season.
>>> Patrick Lefevere: ‘If I thought Mark Cavendish was done, I would not have taken him back’
Before the Tour of Turkey, Cavendish's last victory was over three years ago, in the 2018 Dubai Tour.
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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Mathieu van der Poel extends with Alpecin-Deceuninck until the end of 2028
Dutchman inks new five-year deal after team's second triumph at Milan-San Remo last weekend with Jasper Philipsen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
British National Road Championships return to Saltburn in 2024
The events will take place in the north east of England for the second year running
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Astana go all in on Cavendish in his final season, but will the confidence pay off?
The Kazakh team have bet big on the 38-year-old sprinter. Both they and Cavendish need 2024 to work
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish wins his first race in final season after perfect leadout in Tour Colombia
The Briton fended off the challenge of home rider Fernando Gaviria on stage four of the Tour Colombia
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Mark Cavendish forced to settle for third in 2024 season opener in Colombia
Astana Qazaqstan rider says Tour Colombia stage one result ‘best debut race for a few years’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish seeking aerobic gains at altitude before focusing on high intensity work ahead of new season
Astana head coach Vasilis Anastopoulos: ‘Cavendish is currently doing lots of hours in the saddle and only short sessions of more intensive work’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish: Altitude training is essential in order to stay at the top of modern cycling
British sprinter will start 2024 season at Tour Colombia in February and will also include two altitude camps in plan
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish reveals details of first race in 2024
Astana Qazaqstan rider will line up at the Tour Colombia after altitude camp in country
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish 'in shock' at 'toughest' Tour de France route
Astana Qazaqstan rider will have to tackle "hard" race if he wants to break the stage win record
By Adam Becket Published
-
Incoming Astana performance chief to replicate Quick-Step Mark Cavendish lead-out train
‘I’m very optimistic, I think it’s going to work’ Vasilis Anastopoulos on his new plans for Cavendish ahead of next year’s Tour de France record attempt
By Tom Thewlis Published