Cycling News

Cavendish wins stage 1 of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) made it look almost like a formality Sunday, taking the first stage and the overall lead of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California after a massive show of power by his team over three crowd-lined finish circuits in Sacramento.

Saxo Banks JJ Haedo was second.

Sprinter and classics man Tom Boonen was among the handful of riders who crashed in the final kilometers. The former world champion crossed the line with torn clothing and a lot of road rash, with the help of a teammate.

An early break The 104-mile journey from Nevada City to Californias capital city got going with four riders forcing a break in the first 15 miles and then building a lead of over four minutes.

The finish HTC-Columbia began to take control even before the catch, and, as the circuits began, Kelly Benefit Strategies, Cervelo, and Liquigas tried to join the party at the front. But with seven and eight HTC-Columbia riders in line at the front, the other teams could only send up a rider or two to briefly take the front before fading off.

Saxo Bank, with crowd favorites Fabian Cancellara and Jens Voigt, gave HTC-Columbia the biggest scare, taking over the front with one and a half laps to go. But Cavendishs team still had matches to burn, and, with a smaller cast of characters, regained the front. Few could hold the wheels when the Manx Missile finally stuck his nose into the wind with 300 meters to go, holding off JJ Haedo by a bike length.

Source: VeloNews
Subject: Racing

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