Mark Cavendish has taken the best win of his career revival today, when he beat a quality line-up of sprinters for victory on the final day of Baloise Belgium Tour.
The Deceuninck-QuickStep man was led out perfectly by the team and came off the wheel of Michael Mørkøv to launch what appeared to be a very long sprint.
Cavendish got the verdict, and let a roar out in victory as he crossed the line, ahead of Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix) and Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe).
Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Visma) was 4th with Nacer Bouhanni (Arkéa Samsic) in 5th place and Bryan Coquard (B&B Hotels p/b KTM) in 6th. While Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) had won two stages on the race already, the Australian was back in 9th place today.
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Cavendish, who rode the race as a replacement for the injured Sam Bennett, said he was delighted with his win, his fifth of the season, as he was sprinting against such top quality opposition.
He said Merlier was "arguably the best sprinter at the minute" and he was especially pleased "to be able to match him".
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As the 178.7km stage from Turnhout to Beringen ended in a bunch sprint there was no change in the overall; Cavendish's team mate Remco Evenepoel wrapping up overall victory.
Evenepoel showed he has come back close to top form by making the breakaway on the opening day and taking the race lead, though he was 2nd on the stage. He then won the TT the following day to consolidate his leading position.
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