Cycling: Mark Cavendish takes stage win in Tour of Qatar

British rider claim second win for Omega Pharma-QuickStep

Mark Cavendish celebrates winning the third stage of the Tour of Qatar (GETTY IMAGES)

Briton Mark Cavendish claimed his second win for Omega Pharma-QuickStep on stage three of the Tour of Qatar today.

The 27-year-old from the Isle of Man, who joined Omega Pharma-QuickStep following one year at Team Sky, opened his account for the Belgian squad in the Tour de San Luis and added another victory on the 143-kilometre route from Al Wakra to Mesaieed.

A 10-second time bonus accompanied the win and moved Cavendish to fourth overall, eight seconds behind American Brent Bookwalter (BMC Racing), who retained the lead.

Two of Bookwalter's team-mates - American Taylor Phinney and Briton Adam Blythe - remained second and third overall, respectively.

Tomorrow's fourth stage is the 160km route from Camel Race Track to Al Khor Corniche.

Cavendish wrote on Twitter: "Nice to get the win here today in #TourOfQatar! opqscyclingteam just chaperoned me the whole day. Machines! BIG machines! Thanks guys."

In an Omega Pharma-QuickStep media release, the Manxman added: "I felt really strong, so I have to thank my team. They really kept me protected, kept me out of trouble the whole time and gave me energy for the sprint.

"I really had to kick at 350 meters, I was so far back."

On the prospect of taking overall victory on Friday's final day, he added: "I think it's best to come here, focus on the stage wins, and hope the GC (general classification) can come from that."

PA