CYCLING TOUR OF IRELANDSHOWING WHY he's regarded as the world's top sprinter, race leader Mark Cavendish surged to a second successive stage victory in the Tour of Ireland yesterday.
The 23-year-old received a strong lead-out from his Columbia team and then turned on the jets in the final 200 metres, hitting the line in Loughrea comfortably clear of Michael van Staeyen (Rabobank Continental), Maximiliano Richeze (CSF Group Navigare) plus another 70 riders.
Ciarán Power (Pezula Racing) was best of the Irish competitors in eighth place, while national road race champion Daniel Martin reluctantly pulled out because of a virus.
Cavendish's victory was his 15th of the year and saw him pull further ahead of his main rivals. The Manxman ended the day 13 seconds ahead of yesterday's runner-up Julian Dean (Garmin Chipotle) and a further second ahead of Alexander Kristoff (Joker Bianchi). In addition to that, he remains best young rider and took over the lead in the points classification. Matt Wilson (Team Type 1) continues in the King of the Mountains jersey.
"The team rode great all day," said the quadruple Tour de France stage winner. "Despite being on the front for so long, they still had the kick to lead it out full-gas from five kilometres to go. Basically, they keep me protected all day and then give me such a perfect lead-out at the end that I really had to finish it off with a win."
Power is motivated to do well as it looks almost certain Pezula Racing will not continue. "I had really good legs today," he said. "I was a little disappointed with eighth. The team finishes on Sunday and so I am looking for a new one for next year. I want to do something here. I'll try to get up the road tomorrow or else try to do something in one of the bunch finishes. I'm not finished with cycling and I want to show that."
The day was run off on undulating roads and was marked by a superb lone attack by Swedish national time-trial champion Fredrik Ericsson. He forged clear approximately 10 kilometres after the start in Thurles and stayed out front for almost all of the 158 kilometre leg.
He built a maximum lead of six minutes 40 seconds, yet was finally hauled back with 11 kilometres remaining. Team Columbia were intent on a bunch finish and rode strongly to deliver Cavendish to the final 200 metres in a prime position, after which he was able to complete the job.
From an Irish perspective, Power's eighth place was the highlight of the day.
Martin was forced to withdraw from the event during the stage; he had been suffering from a virus and had both stomach problems and respiratory congestion as a result. The Garmin Chipotle rider was very disappointed as he had pinpointed the race as one of his big targets.
The 2.1-ranked Tour of Ireland continues today with an undulating 201-kilometre stage from Ballinrobe to Galway. It features one category-two climb plus three category-three ascents before the finish in Salthill.
