Mark Cavendish wins Tour of Qatar

Updated 12/02/2016 at 17:14 GMT

Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) secured an overall win in the Tour of Qatar, despite Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) claiming the final stage.

Belgian Greg Van Avermaet team leader of the BMC team (L), Britain's Mark Cavendish of Dimension Data team and Norwegian Alexander Kristoff (R) of Team Katusha pose on the podium following the 5th and last stage of the 15th Tour of Qatar on February 12, 2

Image credit: AFP

Kristoff beat Cavendish, riding for Dimension Data, via a photo finish to claim 10 seconds but the Maxman’s six bonus seconds ensured he secured a second overall title in Qatar.

The final showdown between Cavendish and Norwegian Kristoff could not have been closer, with both riders lunging to the line to try and claim the victory and valuable bonus seconds.

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“Obviously it’s nice to be wearing gold now, but I know I am only wearing it on behalf of Edvald [Boasson Hagen],” said Cavendish. “He only lost it because of bad luck and not through any other kind of cause.”

Cavendish was referring to Boasson Hagen’s double puncture in the penultimate stage of the race.

“That sprint was pretty hectic. A lot of teams were trying to take the lead. We did actually a very good job all day,” Kristoff said after the race.