Cavendish's Sky lead-out still on learning curve
Mark Cavendish fought back for win number three today in Giro d'Italia's 13th stage to Cervere. The World Champion from team Sky fell behind Orica-GreenEdge's charge in the final metres, but re-emerged on top by the finish line.
Pete Kennaugh and then Geraint Thomas led Cavendish in the final kilometre down the left side of the road. Orica, however mounted a charge with Daryl Impey and Brett Lancaster for Matt Goss. Cavendish, seemingly swamped, kept cool and punched through. He followed Garmin's Robert Hunter, who trailed Goss.
"I'm not worried, I don't have an emotion, but certainly, I have to re-think my calculations through," Cavendish said in the post-race press conference. "You know it's not going to be straight forward. You just got to wait for a gap to open."
Thomas was unable to rev to top speed after Orica arrived and left Cavendish to find an open door. Cavendish said that his new train is learning from these experiences, likely fine-tuning for the Tour de France.
"I think we can learn from today. I think if Pete needs to stay a bit further from the barriers to give G some room... To be fair, we got out-led by GreenEdge," Cavendish added.
"I was lucky opened the door. At first, I thought he was giving me a fair sprint against him, but then I saw with a helicopter [TV] shot later, I saw he was closing [Rabobank's Mark] Renshaw down on the right. With a stroke of luck, it opened up for me, so ah... I was a little bit lucky today, but I was happy with it."
The Turin airport and the Autostrada will be busy tonight some sprinters heading home. Goss and Lancaster will not start tomorrow's mountain stage to Cervinia. In fact, the next week only offers one opportunity for a sprint, stage 18 to Vedelago.
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"When I came to this giro, I planned 100 per cent to go to Milano and I planned to win the red [points jersey]. With the crashes, the red jersey might be out the window, but I still don't have plans to go home," Cavendish explained.
"I came in with really good form, I could have got through the first week relaxed and built up to the second two weeks, but after the big crash on the third day, it really took me a week to recover. There were some hard days. If I hadn't crashed I'd be okay, but it really put me on the edge. My body wasn't great. Finally, after a week, I recovered. I'm getting a bit stronger now. I'm feeling okay. Assuming I don't finish outside the time cut, I don't see my going home yet."
Giro d'Italia 2012: Latest news
Cavendish disappointed to lose Giro stage in Montecatini Terme
Goss shaping up as Orica-GreenEdge leader
Hesjedal happy with Giro performance despite losing lead
Pinotti alters Giro plans after losing time in mountains
Pozzato apologises for role in causing crash
Hesjedal has tough day as Giro leader
Schleck building form in Giro for final week in Alps
English speakers on top
Giro favourites to make move in first mountain finish
Malori will relish time in Giro lead
Giro d'Italia 2012: Live coverage
Giro d'Italia 2012 live text coverage schedule
Giro d'Italia 2012: Stage reports
Stage 13: Cavendish makes it three
Stage 12: Bak attacks to win
Stage 11: Ferrari wins Giro stage on ride to redemption
Stage 10: Rodriguez wins thrilling finale to take leadStage nine: Ventoso wins in Frosinone as Goss and Cavendish fall
Stage eight: Pozzovivo takes another Giro win
Stage seven: Hesjedal moves into Giro lead
Stage six: Rubiano solos to epic Giro stage win
Stage five: Cavendish bounces back for another stage win
Stage four: Garmin-Barracuda win TTT to take lead
Stage three: Goss wins in Horsens as Cavendish and Phinney crash
Stage two: Cavendish wins in Herning
Stage one: Phinney wins time trial
Giro d'Italia 2012: Photo galleries
Stage 12 photo gallery
Stage 11 photo gallery
Stage 10 photo gallery
Stage nine photo gallery
Stage eight photo gallery
Stage seven photo gallery
Stage six photo gallery
Stage five photo gallery
Stage four photo gallery
Stage three photo gallery
Stage two photo gallery
Stage one photo gallery
Giro d'Italia 2012: Teams and riders
Giro d'Italia 2012 start list
Giro d'Italia 2012: TV guide
Giro d'Italia 2012: British Eurosport TV schedule
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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.
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