After taking the 16th stage win of his career at the Giro d’Italia, Mark Cavendish says there are many different ways to win a race and it is not always down to brute strength.
Cavendish thinks, tactically, he got it spot on in Hungary, saying, “I think there are a few guys who are just as strong and fast, the strongest and fastest doesn’t necessarily mean the best. I’ve never been that but I win. Caleb has the fastest legs, Fabio (Jakobsen) is the strongest, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you win bike races.”
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Speaking about how he overcame the competition, Cavendish said, “you work out how to be the strongest and fastest on the road.”
He was also full of praise for his Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl teammates, saying, “If you have the guys on that list, it leaves me full of confidence.”
His team includes Michael Morkov on lead-out duty, while James Knox, Mauro Schmid, Pieter Serry, Bert Van Lerberghe, Davide Ballerini and Mauri Vansevenant also feature in the line-up.
“I know it’s on me, I know I’ve got the best group of guys around me, there are no excuses. I haven’t had a full team like this year like Fabio, so it’s nice to get that at the Giro”, he said.
Cavendish is loving being back at the event, saying “The Giro in Hungary has been incredible. The crowds were phenomenal. I’ve seen many people on bikes, many bike paths. People have loved the Grande Partenza. It’s been a privilege for me to be here and an exceptional privilege to win here.”
“I am happy to be back here. I love racing, I love Italy and I love the Giro”, he added.
The race now leaves Hungary, with more opportunities on the way for Cavendish to add to his Grand Tour stage tally before having to navigate the first summit finish to Mount Etna.
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