Crash costs Cavendish in Belgium

A crash knocked Mark Cavendish out of contention in Sunday’s Gent-Wevelgem.

Coming into the final 30 kilometres of the race, the HTC-Highroad rider was amongst the favourites for victory if the race ended in a sprint.

However, a crash on an innocuous stretch of Belgian tarmac, when another rider hit him from behind, destroyed his chances.

The ‘Manx Missile’ had already looked to be out of contention earlier in the day when he punctured before the first ascent.

Teammate Danny Pate waited for him and paced Cavendish back to the front group as the race sped towards Wevelgem before the crash.

The race was won by Belgian Tom Boonen who outsprinted Daniele Bennati and Tyler Farrar.