Mark Cavendish – “I didn't die...”

“I had to give it a final push and give it full gas again at the end because when I did the initial kick I didn’t realize there was a headwind at the finish. I thought, ‘Oh no, I’m going to have to get a further advantage…’ and so I put in another kick with about 100 to go in case I died. I didn’t die and I was able to hold on so I’m pleased. _ “My team-mates were absolutely willing to put in the work for me. You could see it all day long. There was a breakaway so they had to use their legs and ride hard. There was a crosswind and they were doing everything they could to give me shelter and they did that in the final too. _ “I was dropped off by Marcus Burghardt who delivered me to the Liquigas train and then I was able to use that to my advantage and go on to win the stage. _ “There is a little bit of a joke going around about how I’m demoralizing the other sprinters but it’s all in good nature. You know, I can win four stages but I’m still no closer to the green jersey which is what the Tour is all about. You have to be consistently good and I’m not experienced enough to be consistently good. If might have a win but then I’ll come 10th. Where guys like Oscar [Freire] will get second, third, second, third, third… and so on. That adds up to get the green jersey. _ “We’ll still see if I decide to go all the way to Paris. I’m still taking it day by day.”