MARK Cavendish claimed his first win of the 2011 season when he won the final stage of the Tour of Oman yesterday.
The 25 year old Manxman powered over the line ahead of Russia's Denis Galimzyanov and Italy's Andrea Guardini at the end of the 157 kilometre stage to claim a sprint victory.
It’s been a tough season so far for Cavendish, who was involved in two serious crashes - in the Tour Down Under in Australia and later in the Tour of Qatar.
But the determined Manx rider was in his best form to claim the victory in yesterday’s final stage from Qurayat Harbour to Muttrah Corniche.
His win was HTC-Highroad's second victory in the 2011 Tour of Oman, after team-mate Matt Goss took Stage 2, also wearing the leader's jersey for two days.
"Everyone tries to go for the win in races like this so it's a bit hectic," Cavendish said afterwards. "But it was great, I had team-mates Hayden Roulston and Matt Goss looking after me in the finish, and they did a good job holding onto me and I did a good job holding onto them all the way through."
He added, "It's always good to get the first victory of the year, too. It didn't work out the other day but now I've got it and I'm happy." Dutch climber Robert Gesink (Rabobank) won the overall title and Team Sky's Edvald Boasson Hagen was second overall.
The victory for Cavendish was the 11th this season for the HTC-Highroad men's team.
