Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Mark Cavendish timed his sprint to perfection on a hard fought, long distance sprint in the 160km sprint finale of Tour de Suisse Stage 4 on Tuesday.
OPQS, who worked on the front all day to chase down the breakaway with 10km to go, escorted Cavendish to the front with a kilometer left in the race. Several top sprinters were in good position for the sprint, but it was Cavendish who knew the right moment to launch. He passed his competitors who went early on an uphill sprint into the wind, utilizing a second kick that no other rider could match. Juan Jose Lobato (Movistar) was 2nd, and Peter Sagan (Cannondale) 3rd.
The 9th victory of the British Champion in 2014 is also the 40th win (38th road) for OPQS.
Tony Martin will have a 5th stage in yellow after staying near the front to protect his GC leadership. Tour de Suisse Stage 5 also leaves the possibility of a bunch sprint.
"It was a headwind finish, and very chaotic in the peloton," Cavendish said. "A lot of teams were trying to get it right. My team worked really hard to chase down the breakaway and stay in the front the entire day to protect me, they were really committed. Then, I followed Mark Renshaw in the final and Mark was incredible. He led me through the peloton, and put me in the position to lead it out. It was a headwind and uphill finish, so it was really about timing your sprint perfectly. I knew I had to go between 200 meters and 150 meters to go. So, I waited, and even though the others jumped before I still went at the right time. I was able to hold on until the finish. My main competitors of the Tour de France aren't here with the exception of Sagan, who will go for the green jersey but maybe isn't a pure sprinter. But still, a win like this gives me confidence. I also have to thank my teammates today for taking care of me and then guiding me to the front at the right moment in the end. I'm proud of the guys and am happy to finish off their effort. We also kept the jersey with Tony so it’s a perfect day for the team.”