(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) British rider Mark Cavendish took his first win with the Dimension Data team on a typically windswept course at the Tour of Qatar today.
The 30-year-old, riding for Team Dimension Data, won stage one to Al Khor Corniche in a sprint finish from Sacha Modolo (Lampre) and Andrea Guardini (Astana).
Cavendish beat Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) and Andrea Guardini (Astana) after coming off Alexander Kristoff's wheel and opening up his own sprint as the Norwegian faded to finish fifth.
Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) was fourth. Cavendish is the first leader of the race and also picked a mid-stage time bonus sprint. He leads Modolo by 8 seconds, with Guardini at 11 seconds.
Cavendish, who won the race in 2013, averaged close to 52km/h on this stage. The race began on Dukhan, crossing to the other side to finish at the Al Khor Corniche, 176 kilometres later.
Stage two on Tuesday covers 135km from Katara village to Qatar University. Stage three on Wednesday covers Lusail, 11km ITT.
Stage four on Thursday is 189km long and will take riders from Al Zubarah Fort to Madinat Al Shamal. The final stage on Friday is 114 km from Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche.
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