CAV’S BACK ON RECOVERY TRAIL

MARK CAVENDISH made a leisurely return to the saddle as Aussie Caleb Ewan sprinted to victory on the opening stage of the Tour of Britain.

The Manx missile, on his first competitive appearance since crashing out of the Tour de France two months ago, finished seven-and-a-half minutes behind Ewan on the 118-mile route from Edinburgh to Kelso.

Cavendish (above) does not expect to win a stage, let alone the overall race, after his horror 45mph smash in Vittel two months ago.

But his presence adds star quality to a field including Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas – also making his comeback from crashing on Le Tour – and Owain Doull, both Olympic team pursuit gold medallists on the track.

Today’s 131-mile second stage, from Kielder Water to Blyth, is the longest of the race.