Report: Cavendish gets his win in Algarve

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Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma Quickstep) wins Volta Algarve final stage whilst Michael Kwiatkowski wins the GC, his win in a stage race

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Cavendish gets his win in Algarve

230214 OPQS Tour Algarve Stage 5 ArrivalCavendish

Photo: OPQS/Tim de Waele

QPQS won a third stage out of five thanks to Mark Cavendish outsprinting the field in 155.8km Volta ao Algarve Stage Five. OPQS controlled the race all day, working hard on the front to bring back the breakaway with 15km to go and putting the Manx Missile in ideal position on the right side inside the final kilometre.

Michal Kwiatkowski also took home the yellow jersey following a solo victory and a blistering paced ITT win that solidified his leadership. The Polish rider even finished on the podium in the queen stage, further proving his strength as he rode well alongside all the top GC contenders on Alto do Malhão.

The double win day for OPQS brings the 2014 total to 12 in three disciplines, and 10 wins for OPQS on the road in only a couple of weeks. “I’m very happy,” Cavendish said. “We came here to win the yellow jersey, and to win the stage would be a bonus. We controlled the race and everybody rode incredibly well.”

“Super strong leadout, everybody did their part. Alessandro Petacchi was the last guy and he dropped me off at about 170 meters, more or less. Perfectly executed. I’m very happy that Omega Pharma – Quick-Step could come away with three stage wins. We won the GC two straight years now. So, it’s really good. I think this is good motivation for my next races.”

First stage race for Kwiatkowski
“It’s my first stage race victory, so I’m really happy,” Kwiatkowski said. “I have been aiming for the GC in the stage races, so to start my season like this is a good sign. It’s going to be a good spring coming for not just me, but the whole team”.

230214 OPQS Tour Algarve Stage 5 Podium LeaderKwiatkowski

Photo: OPQS/Tim de Waele

“I’m really happy about it. As for today, Cav was super thankful for the leadout, so I think he is just as happy as I am with the performance of the team. We controlled from the beginning to the end and we really did it well. I was safe, I even took three seconds at the intermediate sprint just to be calm if something were to happen in the final.”

“Also, OPQS was successful beyond Algarve. I heard Rigoberto Uran finished 3rd in the Tour of Oman GC, which only adds to the reasons to celebrate this successful day. I am really motivated now and will spend the next days training in Spain in preparation for Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico. I’m progressing very well as I move on to what’s next on my race schedule.”

STAGE
1 CAVENDISH Mark Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 03:24:10
2 DéMARE Arnaud FDJ.fr
3 COQUARD Bryan Team Europcar
4 ROJAS José Joaquin Movistar Team
5 MODOLO Sacha Lampre – Merida
6 TSATEVICH Alexey Team Katusha
7 NAPOLITANO Danilo Wanty – Groupe Gobert
8 BOEV Igor RusVelo
9 LEEZER Tom Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
10 OFFREDO Yoann FDJ.fr
11 PETACCHI Alessandro Omega Pharma – Quick-Step

FINAL OVERALL
1 KWIATKOWSKI Michal Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 16:29:57
2 CONTADOR Alberto Tinkoff-Saxo 00:19
3 COSTA Rui Lampre – Merida 00:32
4 GENIEZ Alexandre FDJ.fr 01:13
5 KELDERMAN Wilco Belkin-Pro Cycling Team 01:32
6 FERNANDEZ Ruben Caja Rural – Seguros RGA 01:33
7 PRADES Eduard OFM – Quinta da Lixa 01:35
8 HORNER Chris Lampre – Merida
9 SPILAK Simon Team Katusha 01:41
10 PINTO Edgar LA Aluminios – Antarte 01:42

49 VOSS Paul Team NetApp – Endura 07:36
59 CAMANO ORTUZAR Iker Team NetApp – Endura 10:02
62 ROWSELL Erick Team NetApp – Endura 11:24
64 MCEVOY Jonathan Team NetApp – Endura 11:48
66 DE GENDT Thomas Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 13:40
77 MARTIN Tony Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 16.50
108 DOWSETT Alex Movistar Team 26:17
139 VOECKLER Thomas Team Europcar 31:22
142 CAVENDISH Mark Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 32:51
143 PETACCHI Alessandro Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 33:17

 

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