Mark Cavendish closed in on a historic green jersey, as he won Thursday's 18th stage of the Vuelta a Espana, keeping up a fine run of form in 'the golden city' of Salamanca.
Cavendish edged out Argentinian Juan Jose Haedo and Manuel Antonio Cardoso in a bunch sprint, registering his third stage win of the tour, and meaning he is likely to take the Vuelta points jersey on Sunday. Cavendish has been displaying encouraging form in the approach to the world road championships on October 3, and is now odds on to become only the second British rider to take a points title on a grand tour.
The stage today in Toledo offers another sprint opportunity, though the riders will face a gruelling 200km circuit, potentially battling the elements with the possibility of strong cross winds and rain.
Cavendish and team-mate Matt Goss again worked seamlessly together in the final stages, and the sprint specialist has revealed his delight at the team performance.
"It was very technical run-in, there were lots of roundabouts and we drifted back at 4km out and I started to worry a little", Cavendish said.
"But Peter Velits moved us up with 3km to go. He is young and very passionate, there was no need for him to do that because he is our GC hope but he loves to see us winning.
"Then Gossie had to do more than was probably fair on him and he went deep into the red riding into the wind to get me into position. It was very difficult to know which gear to use, I must have tried five different gears finding the one that would give me the acceleration I wanted.
"In the end I went with 180m to go. I still didn't get the jump and accelerate but I felt strong and others were also finding the wind difficult as well and I managed to hold on. I am very very pleased."
Watch Sportsvibe's exclusive chat with Cav about his horrible trip to the dentist, being hassled in an airport and the Tour de France.
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