Cavendish targets Classics wins

By Gerry McManus

T-Mobile's Mark Cavendish took home the points and sprinters jerseys the Tour of Britain this week and is already looking forward to the opportunity to ride in some one day classics next year.

The British rider proved that he is more that just a major sprint talent when he broke away on stage five of the Tour of Britain with Alexander Serov (Tinkoff Credit Systems). The duo stayed clear on the tough 170 kilometre route from Liverpool to Kendal with Serov only dropping the young Manxman on the final run in to the finish.

"I was happy with second place when I was away with Serov," said Cavendish. "I proved that I can ride that long and that I can grind myself into the ground. It does you good to do that now and again."

Cavendish won the prologue and first stage in the Tour of Britain to give the 22-year-old an incredible ten victories in his first year as a professional.

"I am still young and I am still fast but there is going to be a time when I get older where I will have to concentrate on longer and harder races," continued Cavendish: "You come into the professional peloton and you dream about winning Classic races. You need to work hard to be able to do that and there is going to be a time when I can ride the Classics and do well in them."

"I was due for selection for some the big one day events this year but I got sick at the end of last season which ruined my chances. I think that the semi classics like Gent-Wevelgem and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne are realistic goals for me."