CAVENDISH CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY ON THE

(May 22, 2008) Team High Road’s sprinter Mark Cavendish turned 23rd yesterday, and he celebrated today by fighting it out in a bunch sprint at the finish line in stage 12 of the Giro d’Italia.

Riding the prototype Giant TCR Advanced SL bicycle, Cavendish claimed his first Grand Tour win in Stage 4 last week. Today, in a controversial photo finish, he was JUST edged out of another victory by Daniele Bennati of the Liquigas team.

Here’s how VeloNews described the finish on its website’s live coverage:
“Indeed, it was probably the closest finish we’ve seen for quite some time. There wasn’t a hair’s width between Bennati and Cavendish at the finish and we’d have to image the judges needed a microscope to examine the photo.”

More details of the finish and photos at:

http://www.velonews.com/article/76576/bennati-claims-a-controversial-stage-win

and

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0812