Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling team sprinter Mark Cavendish was delivered to the line perfectly by his teammates in the 174.2km Tour of Turkey Stage 2 on Monday.

OPQS spent the day on the front helping to chase down a five-rider breakaway that was eventually down to four. The catch was made with 16km to go, and the team then ensured Cavendish, in the leader's jersey after also winning Stage 1, was in ideal position should the stage come down to the predicted group finale.

With 5km to go, OPQS had five riders lined up for the British Champion on the left side of the peloton. The team never lost their position, even negotiating a left turn perfectly to put themselves even further in front for the Manx Missile with less than 2km to go. Alessandro Petacchi and Mark Renshaw were then left with the responsibility of dropping off Cavendish for the sprint. Both did excellent work to launch him, and he went on to win over Francesco Chicchi (Neri Sottoli) and Niccolo Bonifazio (Lampre-Merida).

OPQS now has 26 victories, in three disciplines, in 2014. Cavendish has won four bunch sprints this year so far. Tour of Turkey Stage 3 will be the first opportunity for the climbers. The stage includes a summit finish in Elmali.

"The wind was stronger than we thought and different to what we imagined as well," Cavendish said of the sprint. "Headwind in the final two kilometers. We were pretty much going to be on target if there was a crosswind, but it ended up the wind changed direction.

"But the guys adapted well. The guys rode incredible today. We had Kevin De Weert riding all day, and then he took it up with 10 kilometers to go. Petr Vakoc was behind him and then he went. Then Gianni Meersman did like two kilometers on the front. In the last five kilometers, for two kilometers you've got to be going. Gianni did it, and Iljo Keisse then took it up around a corner.

"To me, normally we should be OK there, but with a headwind we ended up being low on guys so they were doing a little bit longer than they wanted. Alessandro Petacchi and Mark Renshaw should only be doing about 300 or 400 at the end, but they did about 600 each. But in the end it was perfect. They delivered me perfectly to the line.

"I did have to go full gas, I didn't know what would happen with the headwind. You're riding slightly uphill in that kind of situation. Maybe I should have rode in the 12 instead of the 11.

"I didn't feel under pressure but at the end of the day in a headwind, you're always going to be. Unless you start next to people, then you can kind of tactically ride technical with the sprint. But when you start ahead with your leadout, you can't do that. You just have to go full gas and hope no one closes. But no one did.

"I'm happy we could get another stage here at Tour of Turkey and I'm thankful I could finish the work of the guys again today.

"Really it was not so textbook [yesterday]… The guys had to go long because of the headwind. Conditions made it more difficult and longer. I could see their legs going, their bodies going before they turned. When I can win this way, it gave me as much satisfaction as any sprint I’ve won on my own.

"Tomorrow is just about getting through. I won’t be able to get a third win. We came here with a predominant sprint team, it was a tough day for the guys today after yesterday. We’ll try to get through as best as possible. There’s no way I can try to defend the jersey. But it’ll be an exciting stage for the race and for the fans. 

"I go to California next but since my mother comes here often on holiday I’ll come here again for sure. 

"My form is really good. I feel like I’m not going deep in the race, that I’m not struggling throughout the race, that I’m able to just ride and get my form from the race, which is exactly what I wanted. I cannot exactly know what my form is going to be on the Tour de France, I can only try to guess.

"I don’t know how it goes I already rode at the Olympics and the next are in Rio and for sure I’d love to go but there are many races to do before then. We'll see."