Unwell Cavendish dropped on final climb

Mark Cavendish did not contest the finish of the 2015 Milan-San Remo one-day race.

The Manx Missile said beforehand he was ‘not 100 per cent’ after a stomach virus and he was dropped on the Poggio and did not contest the finish. Cavendish said a dropped chain ‘crippled’ him, telling reporters at the finish. ‘It didn't just cost me a little bit, it crippled me. I wasn't able to close the gap before the top of the Cipressa, so I sat there doing 650-700 watts for 5km, just to keep a 20m gap. I was on my limit after that.’

He was awarded 46th place in the final standings.

Island resident Ben Swift was 13th, the first British rider home.

Germany's John Degenkolb won a bunch sprint finish.

Pre-race favourite Peter Sagan of Slovakia was fourth.