Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Mark Cavendish did his best with his position in the sprint finish of 204.2km Scheldeprijs on Wednesday, in an attempt to break the record of career wins at the race. Unfortunately, he couldn't overcome launching his sprint from many positions back in the final meters, finishing 2nd to Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano) by about 3/4 of a wheel.
Cavendish started his sprint on the right hand side, about 20th position with 200m to go. Kittel was well up the road on the right side. Cavendish still managed to catch up to Kittel and the two went head-to-head at the line.
Barry Markus (Vacansoleil-DCM) was 3rd.
OPQS did plenty of work throughout the day, chasing down a breakaway until 26km remained. They also remained on the front to set up the sprint finish, but inside the final 3km, the peloton became highly unorganized.
"The race went OK — it was windy, but the guys rode brilliantly all day always present at the front," Cavendish said. "In the last kilometers it was a bit hectic and we had some problems with keeping good position in the final. In the sprint I was about 20th position and I was coming, coming, coming, and I went to go with about 250 meters to go but another rider was coming around too. So I had to leave about 50 meters more to start. I just ran out of time, you know, and if I'm not in the top five positions it's usually too far back. But Marcel Kittel won and it's not like he's not one of the best sprinters in the world. So I can't be too disappointed today, losing a close finish to a guy like that. I was really excited to race here today, as I'm on a Belgian team now. Also, it's a special day as a year ago my little princess Delilah was born, it's her first birthday. I missed the race a year ago today because she was due to be born. So I wanted to come here and win for her, for her birthday present. It's really nice, I love my family being here. They put my life into perspective. It takes the whole pressure from the day away."