Mark Cavendish sprints to second win of 2010 in Tour de Romandie

Manx Missile celebrates by giving the V-sign - and not for Victory

6 comments

by Simon_MacMichael on April 29, 2010 - 17:50

Mark Cavendish wins stage 2 Tour de Romandie 2010 (Ludovic Péron, Wiki Commons)

Mark Cavendish has notched up his second win of 2010 in Stage 2 of the Tour de Romandie, and the Manx Missile, never one to shy away from controversy, set tongues wagging with a two-fingered victory salute as he crossed the line.

It seems that the V-sign was aimed at critics who have taken the HTC-Columbia rider to task for his uncharacteristically lacklustre start to the 2010 season, which has been disrupted by the ongoing effects of an infection following dental treatment.

After winning the 171.8-kilometre stage, Cavendish said that today’s victory demonstrated a return to form and it proved his doubters – who could also be interpreted as including team-mate André Greipel, with whom Cavendish recently had a rather public falling-out – wrong.

And there was us thinking that the 24-year-old, who famously celebrated winning a stage of last year’s Tour de France by mimicking making a phone call in a reference to recently-recruited sponsor HTC, made the V-sign to congratulate HTC on today’s news that their Droid handset is now available on US mobile network Verizon.

With five kilometres left in today’s stage, the peloton had come back together following earlier breakaways, and with HTC-Columbia forcing the pace at the front, the scene was set for Cavendish to do what he does best as he looks to recapture last year’s stunning form that brought him six stage wins in the Tour de France plus victory in Milan-San Remo.

As it turned out, the Manxman won easily from Danilo Hondo of Lampre-Farnese Vini, with Robbie Hunter of Garmin-Transitions third. Peter Sagan of Liquigas retains the race leader’s jersey.

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Charmless as ever.

posted by Chuffy [150 posts] 29th April 2010 - 18:54

http://twitter.com/bradwiggins wrote:

As for the salut, well it'll give the cycling forum users something to do for the evening!

At least Bradley is thinking of the fans. Personally, I think Cav is making an early bid for the 2010 SPOTY award.

posted by handlebarcam [460 posts] 29th April 2010 - 19:51

Not the greatest move in the world and not something a role model should really be doing.

But you can't fault Cav for passion and personally I thought 'yeah go on' when I first saw it.

posted by demoff [344 posts] 29th April 2010 - 22:28

The photo finish is superb - best victory salute so far from Cav. Plus I can't think of a better role model than one that does regularly apologise for being a twat

posted by G-bitch [239 posts] 30th April 2010 - 10:28

When you actually look at this picture Cav has been clever and its not the reaction of a puerile chav as seems to be the feeling on some forums.

Think about a Pro coming up to the line to take the win sits up zips up jersey to proudly display sponsor.

Look at Cav left arm across the jersey hand on shoulder (not his bicep which would emphasise the 'V sign) it effectively blocks the sponsors logo.

posted by demoff [344 posts] 30th April 2010 - 11:39

So he's been a chippy pillock and kept the sponsors happy? Wow, that's what i call multi-tasking.

I'm curious to know who he means by the critics who have written him off. All I've seen so far this year are comments to the effect that he's had a crap season by his standards because of his extended lay-off with dental problems. I've certainly not seen anyone saying that he's crap and it's all over. Looks like he's just deliberately trying to pick a fight to keep himself fiesty, which is childish and stupid. The likes of Cancellara don't have to do that.