Mark Cavendish: "I had good speed and I am happy with the way things planned out"

After winning stage 2, Mark Cavendish has opened his season tally at the Tour of Oman with a very strong sprint, taking the win over Kaden Groves and Amaury Capiot.

“I was looking forward to this sprint, as it was similar to a Tour de France one, with a long finishing straight of over one kilometer. Everyone on the team was committed and did a great job, and coming into the stage I had a lot of confidence from yesterday’s good work," the Manxman said after the finish.

It was a complicated off-season for Mark Cavendish after having suffered a major crash at Ghent Six Day and then posteriorly being assaulted at home. With a big possibility of missing the 2022 Tour de France and without his classical leadout, Cavendish saw himself very far from an ideal scenario when starting his season off in Oman, however he's managed to turn the tables by taking an impressive win today, coming from far behind the leading riders to take the win in the bunch sprint.

"When the sprint started, I was a bit far back, but I had good speed and I am happy with the way things panned out. It’s been only a few weeks since I returned on my bike following that crash on the track, so I am quite satisfied with my form. To take a win so early in the season it’s always important and we hope to get some more nice results before the Tour of Oman ends”

As the race heads now into the hilly stages, Cavendish will have to wait for the final day of the race to have once again the opportunity to net a win, however the goal is accomplished.