Mark Cavendish sprinted to his first victory of the season – and his first with Team Dimension Data – in stage one of the Tour of Qatar yesterday.
First victory for Mark Cavendish as a Team Dimension Data rider at the Tour of Qatar yesterday. Photo: Stiehl Photography/YS
The win had also put the former world champion and Tour de France green jersey in yellow.
The stage got off to a blistering start as a lead group of 21 riders broke away in the stiff Qatari wind after just 40km.
Dimension Data were in a great position with Cavendish, Edvald Boasson Hagen and Tyler Farrar in the group.
There were a number of favourites in the select group, including Katusha’s Alexander Kristoff and BMC’s Greg van Avermaet.
In the end, a group of 16 riders contested the stage win.
Katusha led out the sprint but Cavendish was able to come off Kristoff’s wheel.
Boasson Hagen was sixth.
