Posted on 07/23/2010 10:49:48 AM PDT by Todd Kinsey
Mark Cavendish significantly closed the gap in the points competition with an emphatic win in today’s stage 18 in Bordeaux. Without his lead out man Mark Renshaw to deliver him to the finish; Cavendish deftly maneuvered from wheel to wheel in the last kilometer.
Team Sky was dominating the front when they crossed under the 1 kilometer banner with Cavendish sitting in eighth position. Then Cervelo broke through, guiding points leader Thor Hushovd to the front. Cavendish quickly jumped on his wheel with Allesandro Petacchi behind him.
Petacchi jumped first and this proved to be his undoing. Cavendish followed Petacchi to the left and sat in the Italians slipstream for about 25 meters and then made the winning move taking the stage by at least four bike lengths. Cavendish was so far in front that there was not another rider in the picture when they showed the overhead view.
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This is Contador’s best chance for a Stage win, but I don’t think it matters if he gets one or not. The important thing for him is to increase his lead and not make a mistake.
I think it’s in the bag for him.
What place is Armstrong in?
23rd but he hasn’t really applied himself much since his crash filled day in the Alps.
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