Cavendish Outdistances International Field of Top Sprinters to Capture Stage 1 at 2009 Tour of Missouri

ST. LOUIS, MO (September 7, 2009) British sprinter Mark Cavendish (Columbia-HTC) thrilled the huge Labor Day crowds with a sprint victory at Stage One of the Tour of Missouri today. He out dueled Juan Jose Haedo (Saxo Bank) of Argentina, who finished second, and Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team) of Norway, who finished third, for the first Missouri Tourism Leader’s Jersey of the week.

“Like I said, I can’t do it alone. I have the best team around me,” Cavendish said about his 24th career victory today. With the win, he also receives a new Buell 1125R motorcycle, courtesy of Gateway Harley-Davidson. “I could see the motorbike glistening so it was like a carrot on a string.”

A field of 118 professional riders representing 23 countries started the 75-mile (120.7-kilometer) course rode under sunny skies, which radiated off the famous Gateway Arch just beyond the start/finish area along Market and 7th streets in downtown St. Louis. The circuit race, 10 laps of 7.5-miles each, also passed other St. Louis landmarks, including the Anheuser-Busch InBev Brewery, Busch Stadium and Lafayette Park. It was a stage that was predicted to be ruled by the top sprinters, and three of the best ended the day on the podium.

“To win a stage would be nice, but with Cavendish it will be hard. There has to be a way,” added Haedo after the race.

Most of the Sprint and King of the Mountain points were captured today by a breakaway threesome, Moises Aldape (Team Type 1) of Mexico, Tomas Vaitkus (Astana) of Lithuania, and Chris Anker Sorensen (Team Saxo Bank) of Denmark, who led for eight laps. They were caught with about 12 miles to go by a charging peloton. Sorensen was awarded the Michelob Ultra KOM jersey and Aldape won the Drury Hotels Most Aggressive Rider jersey.

In addition to the Missouri Tourism Leader’s jersey, Cavendish also captures the Edward Jones Sprint jersey as well as leads in the points classification for the 180 Energy/Icelandic Glacial Water Best Young Rider jersey. His Sprint jersey will be worn by in Stage 2 by Aldape, who was second in the sprint points. The Most Aggressive Rider jersey will then be worn tomorrow by Vaitkus.

“I’m so proud of the outpouring of support today. Are you aware that there’s a race in Spain this week? But the top riders in the world are here,” said Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder to the thousands of fans at the awards presentation following the stage. “Tomorrow we continue for the first time in the southeast corner (of the state) from Ste. Genevieve to Cape Girardeau, 112 miles of undulating Missouri hills. I hope you will join us, and all week.”

For the first time since its inaugural year in 2007, the 2009 Tour will route east to west, starting in St. Louis and finishing in Kansas City. The past two years, the race routed west to east, starting in Kansas City and finishing in St. Louis. There will be two circuit races (St. Louis, Kansas City), one individual time trial (Sedalia), and four point to point road races (Ste. Genevieve to Cape Girardeau; Farmington to Rolla; St. James to Jefferson City; Chillicothe to St. Joseph). The overall mileage for the course is 612 miles.

For the first time since its inaugural year in 2007, the 2009 Tour will route east to west, starting in St. Louis and finishing in Kansas City. The past two years, the race routed west to east, starting in Kansas City and finishing in St. Louis. There will be two circuit races (St. Louis, Kansas City), one individual time trial (Sedalia), and four point to point road races (Ste. Genevieve to Cape Girardeau; Farmington to Rolla; St. James to Jefferson City; Chillicothe to St. Joseph). The overall mileage for the course is 612 miles.

File Photo by: CorVos Pro