Advertisement- Cavendish lands Swiss stage win
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Cavendish lands Swiss stage win
19 June 2009 10:10amMark Cavendish dominated another sprint finish to win the sixth stage of the Tour of Switzerland on Thursday, while Tadej Valjavec of Slovenia retained the overall lead.
The 24-year-old British ace timed 4 hours, 18 minute, 26 seconds at the end of a 178-kilometre ride from Oberriet to Bad Zurzach. Three-time world champion Oscar Freire of Spain was second and Italy's Francesco Gavazzi was third.
Valjavec finished safely in the pack to ensure he will wear yellow for a third day Friday, but his lead was cut to nine seconds as Fabian Cancellara picked up time in bonus sprints.
Cancellara took over second place from his fellow Swiss Oliver Zaugg who is 14 seconds behind Valjavec.
It was Cavendish's 13th stage win of the season and his second of the nine-day Swiss Tour, after sprinting to victory in Monday's third stage at Lumino.
It was also the fourth stage win in six days for Cavendish's Columbia-Highroad team.
For a second straight day, a Swiss rider made a long solo escape but Reto Hollenstein was caught with 18 kilometres to go, setting up the sprint finale.
Friday's seventh stage is a 204-kilometre leg on flat terrain from Bad Zurzach to Vallorbe Juraparc.
AP
