Mark Cavendish leads the Tirreno-Adriatico after his Omega Pharma-Quick Step team claimed victory in the opening time trial of the week-long race yesterday.
Mark Cavendish crosses the line with his Omega Pharma-Quick Step team during the first stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico. Photo: Giuseppe Bellini / Velo / Getty Images
Omega clocked 20min 13sec over the 18.5-km (11.5-mile) route from Donoratico to San Vincenzo. It was an identical start from last year, when Cavendish also took the lead with an Omega win.
“I’m happy,” Cavendish said. “The team is stronger than last year.”
Cavendish has had a slow start to this season, with his only individual win coming in a stage of the Tour of Algarve last month.
The three-time time trial world champion Tony Martin was again the main engine behind Omega’s success, which should benefit Michal Kwiatkowski and Rigoberto Urán, who are aiming for the overall win.
Orica Greenedge finished second, 11 seconds behind, and Movistar – featuring the Tour de France runner-up Nairo Quintana – were third, 18 seconds behind.
Alberto Contador’s Tinkoff Saxo placed fourth, 24 seconds behind. Sky, with Bradley Wiggins and Richie Porte, were sixth, 27 seconds behind. – AP
