Puncture ends Cavendish hopes

A puncture ended the hopes of Manxman Mark Cavendish in the first of the season’s classic one day races – the Milan San Remo.

The ‘Manx Missile’ had to settle for 52nd place on his brand new S-Works McLaren Venge bike.

However, there was some joy as his HTC-Highroad team-mate Matt Goss outsprinted a group of eight riders to claim the victory ahead of Fabian Cancellara and Philippe Gilbert, becoming the first Australian to win Milan-San Remo.

World Champion Thor Hushovd was another well off the pace as a crash derailed his chances.