Cavendish thanks his team after Sky peak in Belgium road race

The world champion was led out by last year’s winner Chris Sutton at the end of the 195-kilometres route, and he finished it off in style by accelerating clear of France’s Yauheni Hutarovich (FDJ-BigMat) and Dutchman Kenny van Hummel (Vacansoleil-DCM).

“I didn’t really have to do anything,” the 26-year-old from the Isle of Man said. “The team did everything for me and it was incredible, a super display.

“I was ill all day and kept vomiting but I was always kept at the front by the whole team. Then when the split went on the Oude-Kwaremont it was perfect as we had three in the front while the other guys stayed with me and we didn’t have to do any chasing.

“With 50k left I still didn’t feel marvellous but just kept going and was being kept out of trouble all the time.”

It was a first triumph in the Belgian Classic and a third win of the new campaign for Cavendish.

Huddersfield cycling ace Richard Hepworth secured his first victory of the season yesterday, sprinting to victory at the end of the Clayton Velo Spring Classic handicap road race in Lancashire.

The 25-year-old Cycle Premier rider, who comes from Kirkburton, crossed the line just ahead of UK Youth rival Dave McGowan from Liverpool at the end of the 55-mile race around the Bashall Eaves circuit.

The pair were part of a nine-rider break which had gone clear shortly after all the groups had come together, after being set off at intervals according to their handicap.

Rapha Condor-Sharp fielded a strong 15-rier team for the big race of the day, and although they dominated the race they could not take the win with just two riders in the break.

When it came down to a sprint finish, neither were to the fore, while the strong sprinters did battle.

“Sam Jackson led out the sprint, but he stopped with about 300 metres to go and I just went for it,” said Hepworth.