CAVENDISH LOSES TOUR OF ROMANDIE LEAD

Mark Cavendish (High Road) lost the leader?s jersey in the Tour of Romandie on Wednesday after a tough climb in the final part of the 182km stage reshuffled the overall standings.

Cavendish stayed with the climbers on the first two climbs of the rain-soaked stage but strong attacks on the last and hardest climb of the day split the peloton, with Cavendish finishing with the likes of Robbie McEwen and other sprinters several minutes behind.

Kazakhstan national champion Maxim Iglinskiy (Astana) snatched the stage victory with a perfect dive into the tight final corner just 150 metres from the finish. He got a gap on the rest of the bunch and held off Switzerland?s Michael Albasini (Liquigas) and Markus Zberg (Gerolsteiner).

Thanks to his second place and good ride in the prologue, Albasini took the race leader?s yellow jersey from Cavendish.

Cavendish should have a better chance of a second stage win on Thursday. The 172km stage from Moutier to Fribourg includes several short climbs but ends with 20km descent to the finish.

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