British sprinter Mark Cavendish had to settle for second place Sunday’s Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré. Photo: Luc Claessen/Getty Images
British sprinter Mark Cavendish had to settle for second place Sunday’s Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré.
Belgian Alpecin-Fenix rider Tim Merlier won the race in a mad dash for the line.
The last of Cavendish’s 146 career wins came on the Dubai Tour in February 2018, and the 35-year-old shouted in anger after crossing the line in second.
“To be honest I kind of forgot how it was to be in a sprint. I am a bit disappointed, because the team controlled the race and I felt really good, but Merlier was clever when he launched it.
“I’m glad to be on the podium, but at the same time I’m disappointed, as I said.
“Now I will do Nokere Koerse, which is a race I never did before, and see how things go there.
“I love racing in Flanders and I want to enjoy every single moment of it. We will keep trying in the next races, we’ll keep having fun and see where that takes us,” Cavendish said.
The Manxman, who has 30 Tour de France stages to his credit, is hoping for some farewell wins in a last fling with Belgian outfit Deceuninck-Quick Step who offered him a one-year deal in January.
Cavendish previously rode for South African outfit Team Dimension Data between 2016 and 2019 before leaving to join Bahrain-McLaren in 2020.
He has struggled with various health issues in recent seasons, but appeared rejuvenated on his return to his cycling roots with the Belgian team.
The GP Jean-Pierre Monseré is named after the 1970 world champion who was killed during a race shortly after claiming his title at 22.
Cavendish, who started his 16th pro season just a few weeks ago in Spain, was one of the seven Deceuninck-Quick-Step riders to line out for the Belgian race which consisted of several laps around the town of Roeselare, after a start from Hooglede.
