TOURNAI, Belgium, (Reuters) – A leaner Mark Cavendish showed he was still too talented for the rest of the Tour de France bunch, outpacing his rivals for victory in the 207.5-km second stage in Tournai yesterday.
The Briton did not need any help to upstage Andre Greipel and Matthew Goss on a podium reminiscent of the last world championships in Copenhagen, when the Manx missile also beat the Australian and the German for gold.
It was the world champion’s 21st stage victory on the Tour and an unusual one as he had to fend for himself, while previously he could rely on the ‘“train’ formed by his former HTC Columbia team mates.
It was also a striking reply to those who doubted his chances in a Team Sky devoted to the overall success of fellow-Briton Bradley Wiggins.
The Briton had already proved in his three stage victories on the Giro d’Italia that he could handle any kind of race finish and he again manoeuvred perfectly in the final yards of this long ride from Vise.
