Cavendish opted to ride in Missouri rather than the Tour of Britain

Britain's Mark Cavendish continued his highly successful season by winning the first stage of the Tour of Missouri.

The Isle of Man sprint specialist, who had four Tour de France stage wins this year, made his move with 300m to go.

He came home in a time of three hours 15 minutes and 14 seconds after 144.8km run from St Joseph to Kansas City.

American Tyler Farrar finished second and Italy's Francesco Chicchi third. Defending champion George Hincapie of the United States finished 22nd.

Cavendish's Colombia team-mates absorbed a three-rider break in the closing stages before the winner positioned himself for the final sprint.

With his 10-second victory bonus, Cavendish will hold a four-second margin over Farrar and a five-second lead over Martin Kohler of Switzerland when the seven-day event continues on Tuesday with the 201km stage from Clinton to Springfield.