The British Mark Cavendish (Astana), 38 years old, returned to his strength by winning the sprint in the second stage of the Tour of Hungary, held between Tokaj and Kazincbarcika, of 162.1 kilometers, where the Spaniard Jon Aberasturi ( Euskaltel Euskadi) is third. and Czech Martin Voltr (Pierra Baguette) took the lead.
The stars always shine, and Cavendish (Douglas, 38 years old) once again raised his arms in a contested sprint clocked in 3h.45.15at an average of 43.2 km/hour, ahead of Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco) and Jon Aberasturi.
It was the second stage win of the course for Cavendish after what was achieved on February 9 in the fourth stage of the Tour of Colombia.
Go for Merckx on Tour
“The Man Express” achieved his 164th victory, an important moral blow for what is considered the best sprinter in history, who will go to the Tour de France for victory number 35 in the “Grande Boucle”which means surpassing the record he shares with Eddy Merckx.
Czech Martin Voltr, the main man of the breakaway, jumped into the lead, followed by Cavendish at 5 seconds and Groenewegem at 9. Aberasturi jumped into fifth place at 11.
The stage had the incentive of a 4-man getaway: Voltr, Bagatin, Istlstekker and Deweirdt, a very long mission that dissolved as the finish line of Kazincbarcika approached, because the peloton had already written the sprint resolution early .
The last resistance was the Italian Christian Bagatin (Colpack), who endured the Cota de Tardona (3rd, 0.7 km at 6.9), 15 from the end, determined to challenge the impossible, but had to bring out the white flag at 8.8. End of the adventure.
The group is preparing for their arrival. Bora Hansgrohe wanted to win for Welsford, but found themselves up against a very competitive Astana looking for glory for Cavendish. The Australian was left dislocated far from the straight, clear path for his rivals.
Markov assumed his role as thrower, Cavendish took the wheel and just had to finish off his rivals. A sweet and necessary victory for the famous “Cav”.
This Friday, the third stage will take place, between Kazincbarcika and Gyöngyös-Kékestető, which is 182.7 km, with the finish line at the end of the first category climb, which is 12.1 km at 5.6 percent.
Source: La Verdad
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