British cycling great Mark Cavendish said he was over the moon after he won the Tour of Dubai on Saturday, capping a fine display in outsprinting his rivals to claim the fourth stage.
The 29-year-old Isle of Man rider had been deposed at the top of the overall standings on Friday by Germany’s John Degenkolb.
But he clinched victory after seeing off Italian Elia Viviani and Spain’s Juan Jose Lobato after the closing 128km ride for his second stage win of the week.
“I am over the moon!” said Cavendish.
“We were the only team (Quick Step) to work all week.
“I am a little frustrated that the other teams didn’t share the workload. In fact I was a little bit agitated by it.
“I am really happy for the guys who yet again put in some hard work today.”
With his ten second bonus the Quick Step star, who completed the stage in 2hr 37min 15sec, ended up six seconds clear of Degenkolb, who crossed in ninth place.
Lobato took third overall, 10sec adrift of Cavendish.
Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali, perhaps with Sunday’s start of the Tour of Qatar weighing on his mind, coasted in among the peloton to take 39th spot overall, nearly a minute-and-a-half adrift of Cavendish’s winning time.
Tour of Dubai results following the fourth and final stage, a 128km ride on Saturday:
