Mark Cavendish third after day one of Ster ZLM Toer in Netherlands
Last updated on .From the section Cycling
Mark Cavendish lies third after the first day of the Ster ZLM Toer in the Netherlands having misjudged the distance to the finish line.
Germany's Marcel Kittel won the stage with Australian Mark Renshaw second in the four-stage race.
Team Sky director Steven de Jongh said: "Cav slightly misjudged the finish and thought the line was further away.
"He tried to overcome that but said Kittel was going really well, which meant he couldn't make up the ground."
Despite the mishap Cavendish insisted he was content with his showing after the stage between Eindhoven and Geleen.
He said on Twitter: "Can honestly say I'm quite happy with it. Miscalculated, but @marcelkittel was very strong in the final! Congrats."
Cavendish has a chance to redeem himself in Friday's second stage that covers 167km around Nuth before ending in a sprint finish - an area of the sport in which he excels.
De Jongh added: "It's going to be a harder day tomorrow - it's much more up-and-down - but I still think it will be another bunch sprint."
Cavendish is competing in his last race before starting the Tour de France on 30 June.
The Manx world champion, who narrowly missed out on the red points jersey at the Giro d'Italia last month, was confirmed in the GB cycling squad for London 2012 when it was announced on Wednesday.
He is due to spend the first three weeks of July riding in the Tour de France before competing in the men's Olympic road race on 28 July.
