Cycling: Cavendish says sorry for V-sign

British sprinter Mark Cavendish has apologised for the two-fingered salute which accompanied his second win of the season at the Tour de Romandie on Thursday.

The 24-year-old has endured a slow start to the campaign after off-season dental problems. As he crossed the line in Fribourg, Switzerland, Cavendish made the gesture which he later justified by saying: "I did it to say I'm back."

However, the HTC-Columbia rider yesterday said: "I want to publicly apologise for the gesture I made on the finish line of the Tour de Romandie. I did want to make a statement to my critics but I realise that making a rude gesture on the finish line is not the best way to do that. I apologise to everybody watching the race and especially the kids. I'm not proud of releasing the feelings in that way."