Cavendish takes final Qatar stage

Next stop for Cavendish is the Tour of California Mark Cavendish clinched the final stage of the Tour of Qatar as the overall event, marred by the death of Frederiek Nolf, was won by Belgium's Tom Boonen. Britain's Cavendish followed up his victory in Wednesday's stage four by winning a bunch sprint by two bike lengths in Doha on Friday. "Two victories - it's rather good," said the Team Columbia rider. "This Tour of Qatar was useful and important for confidence because I beat high-level sprinters here." Nolf, 21, was found dead in his hotel room on Thursday and his fellow Belgian Boonen, who trailed home 10th to confirm his overall triumph, did not show any emotion on the winner's podium. "I did not have the heart to ride today," said the Quick Step rider, who also won the tour in 2005 and 2008. "Fred accompanied us all the day." Nolf's body has been repatriated to Belgium ahead of an autopsy to determine the cause of death. 606: DEBATE Mark Cavendish crushes all in a glorious sprint victory misterbrownshoes Throughout Friday's sixth stage Boonen was content to sit on his 10 second lead in the overall standings, electing not to join battle in a sprint launched by Italian Danilo Napolitano 1500m from the finish. Sprint specialist Cavendish ultimately prevailed by two bike lengths from Germany's Robert Forster. "My performance is mainly good," Cavendish added. "This Tour of Qatar has proved an enriching experience and was important for my confidence because I've beaten top class sprinters here." Cavendish's next stop is the Tour of California where he will clash again with Boonen, who insisted on Friday that the British rider was not unbeatable in a sprint.