CAR NOT THE STAR IN CAV’S CRASH KO

MARK CAVENDISH was forced to abandon the Abu Dhabi Tour after a crash caused by sensors on the race director’s lead car.

Britain’s sprint legend (above) was caught in a pile-up in the neutral zone on stage one, barely five minutes after take-off, suffering concussion and whiplash injuries.

Fears the Manx missile damaged the shoulder he broke in a collision with Peter Sagan on the Tour de France seven months ago were allayed.

But his Team Dimension Data were not impressed the crash was allegedly caused by the sensors causing the car to automatically brake – with Cavendish, riding near the front of the peloton, being one of four riders to crash.

Dimension Data sporting director Roger Hammond said: “We can’t beat about the bush – it’s not an ideal situation. It’s a massive blow.”