Cavendish off to winning start

Mark Cavendish began 2013 by winning the opening stage of the Tour de San Luis in Argentina.

The Manxman, racing for new team Omega Pharma-Quick Step after his winter switch, pipped Sacha Modolo and Alessandro Petacchi to the line after a crash in the final kilometre mixed up the field.

Cavendish held on until 200 metres from the line before making his move and snatching victory. Alberto Contador is also competing in this event, but was not among the leaders on the opening stage.

Cavendish admitted the last kilometres were "hectic".

"All the teams are fresh and motivated, so it was real, real chaos," he said. "It was hard to stay together. I had a few guys with me, and in the finishing straight, within 1km or 400m it was just kind of about staying at the front.

"It was hard with a bit of a dip into the finish and nothing really marking 100m or 200m, so I just kind of jumped at 250m. I knew when I jumped I'd have a good shot at it, even though there was some wind.

"It feels good to be fresh with a good bunch of guys and on such a fast bike. The guys really looked after me, so I had 100 per cent energy at the finish. I'm so happy I could win."

Cavendish added: "The team did a great job for me.

"We were the first team to start riding, with Martin Velits at the beginning, we were present at the front the whole day.

"We got help from other teams too, the sprinter teams, but the guys just rode so strong and stayed with me the whole day. It is so nice to have a team with me that is 100 per cent committed. I'm so, so proud of the guys."