Mark Cavendish has dismissed a training ride crash which saw him write off his bike.

The Manx Missile himself escaped unscathed.

Tweeting afterwards he said, "So with less than 20km to go of my nice little ride today, I had my 1st crash of 2012. Bike & shoes written off. Not a scratch on me".

" Front wheel went from under me, but kept my body upright, trying to sort of run off of my bike. Obviously, can't run that speed, so went over with a bang, ripping my buckle clean out of my shoe. I say I'm not scratched, but a little bruised. Thanks for concern"

Cav's first race of the season, the Tour of Qatar, starts this weekend.