Last Sunday Mark Cavendish capped off another stellar year by clinching victory in the men's elite road race at the World Championships held in Copenhagen. This is the first time in 46 years that a British rider has reached the top step of the podium in the men's world championship road race; the last being Tom Simpson in 1965.
Cav's year started out a little on the slow side; but it is fair to say that he finished off with ticks against some major career achievements. Some notable highlights of his year are:
- Victory in stage 10 of the Giro d'Italia
- Another 5 victories (I think he now has 20) and the green jersey at the Tour de France
- Victory at the London-Surrey Cycle Classic (2012 Olympic Road Race Test Event)
- 2 stage victories at the Tour of Britain
... and did I mention he picked up a rainbow jersey at the World Champs in Copenhagen!
Honourable mentions to Matthew Goss and Andre Gorrillapel for rounding out the podium with silver and bronze for Australia and Germany respectively.
~ VL
Photos courtesy of the UCI and Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images
